Re: Topband: Topband resource
Yes _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/15/2020 1:25 PM, Roger Parsons via Topband wrote: Your point is unclear to me. Did you study the slides? 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
K9YC wrote: "But there IS a difference in efficiency that looking ONLY at the pattern misses." Your point is unclear to me. Of course the pattern of a horizontal antenna changes with changing height and with other environmental factors. If the antenna is actually on the ground the efficiency is pretty terrible, but it does not have to be very high before efficiency does not change meaningfully with height - assuming that total radiation is considered rather than just that which is useful. However, I was only describing a horizontal dipole at around 5/8 wavelength high. NR1DX suggested that because the ends are lower than the centre that there was now an additional "significant vertical component". There is not if the included angle is shallow, which in my case it is.* 73 Roger VE3ZI *(I stated that the ends were at 250' - they are at least that, and could be up to about 290' - but I have not accurately measured the tension in the support rope nor allowed for stretch so I cannot be specific about the catenary.) _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Back in the late 90s, there were a pair of articles in QST about a receiving antenna for 80 and 160 that rejects local noise. The antenna was low and horizontal, it was exceptionally quiet even in a somewhat noisy location, and it had a very high reception angle. I recall that the authors said they could hear pretty much everything the "big boys" could hear, but for a shorter window of time. Also seems consistent with what Lee said. Overall, I have to say that 160M propagation is still somewhat mysterious, and we should be careful about judging too quickly what others describe as their experience. We're like the three blind men describing the elephant: each of us has hold of a different part and so we have different experiences. We won't understand the full picture until we respect and appreciate each other's experiences. 'Nuf said. Art Delibert, KB3FJO From: Topband on behalf of Jim Brown Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 2:56 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Topband resource On 1/15/2020 11:13 AM, Lee STRAHAN wrote: > And from the Northwest I have a slightly different observation of > horizontal/vertical questions. Your analysis makes lots of sense, Lee. It's consistent with what I've read from trustworthy sources about propagation. 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/15/2020 11:13 AM, Lee STRAHAN wrote: And from the Northwest I have a slightly different observation of horizontal/vertical questions. Your analysis makes lots of sense, Lee. It's consistent with what I've read from trustworthy sources about propagation. 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/15/2020 9:55 AM, Roger Parsons via Topband wrote: There is very little pattern difference between a purely horizontal dipole and an inverted V provided that the angle of the V is not too acute. A horizontal dipole 5/8 wavelength high has predominantly low angle radiation. But there IS a difference in efficiency that looking ONLY at the pattern misses. To understand this, take a look at http://k9yc.com/VertOrHorizontal-Slides.pdf starting around slide #18, which plots the pattern of an 80M dipole as it's height is varied ON THE SAME AXES, and the following slide, which picks points off of those curves to show gain vs height at vertical angles of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 70 degrees. Slide #19 clearly shows that gain at low angles increases with mounting height. To apply these data to 160M, simply multiply height by 2. There is, of course, also the matter of how horizontally and vertically polarized waves propagate, and how they are affected by nearby earth. Vertically polarized waves encounter a very strong loss component from poor soil conductivity, while horizontally polarized waves are almost unaffected. 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
It's more than antennas. There's also propagation. You're 700 miles ESE of me, which gives you a path to EU over less of the auroral zone. AND there's noise, which has been increasing over time. My first years in W6 were more productive for CW on Topband than now -- I have a dozen or so countries in the log from the solar minimum of those earlier years. 73, Jim K9YC On 1/15/2020 6:21 AM, Wes wrote: Roger is in my logbook, along with at least five other "G" stations. My station is described on my QRZ page. I receive on the TX antenna. Wes N7WS _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource vertical vs. horizontal
I was always intrigued by the success of our "Down Under" friends in VK6. They tried vertical polarization and it was horrible. They had much better luck with horizontal wires. I think this had much to do with the gyro frequency. It depends on where you are in the world. I am about 30 miles away from salt water. My ground is poor with hills and rocky soil. The tops of the local hills are solid rock. I tried an inverted vee antenna for 160. It worked, but not very well. My signal was sort of like chopped liver. No one would answer me when I called! I did catch an opening, however, where it worked very well and I nabbed two JA stations. I have a recording of one of the QSOs , and my signal got very loud in JA at times. Switching to a vertical here, there was no comparison. I went from chopped liver to meat loaf and gravy. Still it was a long time before I worked another JA, and when I did, it was a squeaker! 73 Dave K1WHS On 1/15/2020 4:17 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Roger has 27 topband QSOs in my log since February 1993, well done! Its interesting how our transmitting antenna experiences are exactly opposite on both 160 and 80 meters. I've had little success with 160 meter horizontal dipoles 100 to 200 feet high compared to my 4-square vertical array which always perform superbly. I use only vertically polarized antennas f or topband receiving , a 350 foot diameter W8JI/W5ZN/N4HY passive 8-circle array, 580 foot Beverages and my transmitting 4-square array. All receive 6 to 10 dB better for DX than horizontal dipoles at my QTH. Many easily copied DX signals on the verticals are completely inaudible on the horizontal dipoles. On 80 meters I use only horizontally polarized 2 element quads 170 feet high for transmitting which are far superior to any verticals I've tried although I've never tried anything more sophisticated than a 4-square transmitting array. My 80 meter quads perform very well as receiving antennas, on some -- but not all -- very weak signals they outperform the 175 foot diameter passive 8-circle array and 580 foot Beverages. You can never have too many antennas... Unless they interfere with each other, a non-trivial issue. 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Roger Kennedy" To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:48:51 PM Subject: Topband: Topband resource "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty comparable with other Brits using verticals} You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high angle due to multi-hop or ducting. Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always much better after midnight. Roger G3YRO _ 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: Topband resource
NR1DX wrote: "Apples and oranges." regarding my antennas. Not really. There is very little pattern difference between a purely horizontal dipole and an inverted V provided that the angle of the V is not too acute. A horizontal dipole 5/8 wavelength high has predominantly low angle radiation. W4RNL is sadly an SK. However, he designed and described a great many antenna systems one of which is a half wave vertical array for 160m. I have one. Here. 73 Roger VE3ZI _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
I was only really able to work Carib/CA/SA with my inverted v at 70 ft. With the inverted L I get our far better. I am a very long way from any salt water in any direction. W0MU On 1/15/2020 9:17 AM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Roger has 27 topband QSOs in my log since February 1993, well done! Its interesting how our transmitting antenna experiences are exactly opposite on both 160 and 80 meters. I've had little success with 160 meter horizontal dipoles 100 to 200 feet high compared to my 4-square vertical array which always perform superbly. I use only vertically polarized antennas f or topband receiving , a 350 foot diameter W8JI/W5ZN/N4HY passive 8-circle array, 580 foot Beverages and my transmitting 4-square array. All receive 6 to 10 dB better for DX than horizontal dipoles at my QTH. Many easily copied DX signals on the verticals are completely inaudible on the horizontal dipoles. On 80 meters I use only horizontally polarized 2 element quads 170 feet high for transmitting which are far superior to any verticals I've tried although I've never tried anything more sophisticated than a 4-square transmitting array. My 80 meter quads perform very well as receiving antennas, on some -- but not all -- very weak signals they outperform the 175 foot diameter passive 8-circle array and 580 foot Beverages. You can never have too many antennas... Unless they interfere with each other, a non-trivial issue. 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Roger Kennedy" To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:48:51 PM Subject: Topband: Topband resource "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty comparable with other Brits using verticals} You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high angle due to multi-hop or ducting. Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always much better after midnight. Roger G3YRO _ 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: Topband resource
Roger Apples and oranges Your antenna is not a dipole but rather an Inverted V . Inverted V's have a significant "vertical" radiation component compared to a dipole I am not sure how you can compare your performance to the W4RNL installation given your 750 miles north of there? Please explain the basis for your claim? Dave NR1DX On 1/15/2020 10:58 AM, Roger Parsons via Topband wrote: W8JI's experience with a horizontal dipole at 300 ft is often quoted as proof that only vertical antennas are useful for 160m DX. This is not my experience with a dipole with the centre at 320 ft and the ends at over 250'. In its favoured directions it is equal to a W4RNL half wave vertical array over a very large radial system. It is unsurprisingly not as good off the ends, and quite is useless for relatively local communications. I am also inclined to support Roger, G3YRO, in his use of a low dipole, having myself successfully used relatively low horizontal antennas for DX in the past. There are most certainly times when higher angles are useful for DX - and possibly more frequently than we imagine. There actually have to be, otherwise Roger would never work any DX at all. Note, this does not mean that a good vertical antenna is not often or even usually better than a low horizontal one. Finally, the UK is small compared to many other countries, but it is not actually a tiny island. Roger's path to North America is over about 300 km of land, and he is more than 10km from the sea in any direction. 73 RogerVE3ZI/G3RBP _ 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
Re: Topband: Topband resource
W8JI's experience with a horizontal dipole at 300 ft is often quoted as proof that only vertical antennas are useful for 160m DX. This is not my experience with a dipole with the centre at 320 ft and the ends at over 250'. In its favoured directions it is equal to a W4RNL half wave vertical array over a very large radial system. It is unsurprisingly not as good off the ends, and quite is useless for relatively local communications. I am also inclined to support Roger, G3YRO, in his use of a low dipole, having myself successfully used relatively low horizontal antennas for DX in the past. There are most certainly times when higher angles are useful for DX - and possibly more frequently than we imagine. There actually have to be, otherwise Roger would never work any DX at all. Note, this does not mean that a good vertical antenna is not often or even usually better than a low horizontal one. Finally, the UK is small compared to many other countries, but it is not actually a tiny island. Roger's path to North America is over about 300 km of land, and he is more than 10km from the sea in any direction. 73 RogerVE3ZI/G3RBP _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Roger is in my logbook, along with at least five other "G" stations. My station is described on my QRZ page. I receive on the TX antenna. Wes N7WS On 1/14/2020 9:23 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 1/14/2020 4:30 PM, Roger Kennedy wrote: And I get good reports all over the world, not just right across America. I've HEARD two UK CW stations on 160M in the past six seasons, and worked one of them. You were not either of those stations. Jim K9YC Santa Cruz, CA _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
>So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my >horizontal dipole at 50ft?! Oh boy, here we go again. As I believe I have pointed out before, your QTH is not that far from a fairly vast amount of salt water. You can believe anything you want, but your experience if not embellished, is atypical and does not refute the general guidance that vertical monopoles with good ground systems perform better for relatively long transmission distances on medium wave. So you "consistently work all over the world on 160m." Over what period of time? 40 years? One contest? Have you ever tried some sort of T or inverted L over 60+ radials using your dipole for receiving? Perhaps you'd find you can "work all over the world" in a much shorter time period? Your repeated bragging/questioning about your installation as a thinly veiled argument is disinformation and it is not helpful. The physics of antennas do not get suspended for your location. 73 Rob K5UJ _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
I am, more or less, 5 days a week around 1730 GMT calling CQ around 1815. Never be called by NA. Too early. So, I agree with Roger. Have a nice day. 73 Jean-Paul F6FYA en direct depuis son iPad. > Le 14 janv. 2020 à 23:49, Roger Kennedy a > écrit : > > > "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." > > So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my > horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty > comparable with other Brits using verticals} > > You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience > 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high > angle due to multi-hop or ducting. > > Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA > stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find > the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always > much better after midnight. > > Roger G3YRO > > > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/14/2020 4:30 PM, Roger Kennedy wrote: And I get good reports all over the world, not just right across America. I've HEARD two UK CW stations on 160M in the past six seasons, and worked one of them. You were not either of those stations. Jim K9YC Santa Cruz, CA _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/14/2020 4:30 PM, Roger Kennedy wrote: And there's definitely no radiation from the feeder ! The dipole is fed with good quality coax, there's a properly constructed 160m choke balun at the feedpoint . . . and anyway, most of the feeder isn't even vertical, as it runs horizontally along my loft ! Roger G3YRO What matters for your feedline is that it has a 50 foot vertical run altogether. If it is a "sloper", then that means it is likely to couple to your dipole and then reradiate, causing polarization conversion in the process. You would need a second choke balun at the ground end of it to prevent that from happening. It would be interesting to model this and see how much vertically radiated power there is. I'm happy for you that the antenna is working well for you, whatever its polarization. Rick N6RK _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Could be. I worked my first 80 countries or so on topband with an inverted-Vee, apex at 45' and ends tied off on Saguaro cacti head high. The transmission line hung straight down parallel to and about a foot or so from the tower. The tower has some ground rods but no radials and the single set of guys at 20 feet are not insulated. The vee was originally cut for 80-meters and the choke balun is adequate for that but certainly not 160. Wes N7WS On 1/14/2020 4:15 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: An easy explanation for what you are seeing is that your feedline is unintentionally radiating as a vertically polarized element. It is really easy to occur unless you go to a lot of trouble to prevent it. And why would you do that? You can find descriptions of the so called "loop sky wire" (horizontal loop) where the reader is warned NOT to use a balun or it won't get out. Rick N6RK _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/14/2020 2:53 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: I've had 160 horizontal dipoles at 100 feet and 200 feet high and I've never experienced a situation where their performance approached the consistent excellent performance of my verticals. Same experience here. When I first moved to W6 in 2006, I rigged both a horizontal dipole at about 120 ft and a 75 ft Tee vertical with a lot on-ground radials, and for a year or two, switched between them on most stations. That horizontal dipole rarely outperformed the Tee vertical, and the vertical was often a LOT better. Most striking difference was in the 2-3 hours of daylight between 2 pm and 5 pm local, which is when 160 contests start on the west coast. Running legal limit with the vertical, I could regularly work 800 miles or so, usually one call. With the dipole, never even a QRZ? 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Ditto. Too much misinformation there. Mike W0BTU On Tue, Jan 14, 2020, 5:20 PM Wes wrote: > I won't either. > > Wes N7WS > > On 1/14/2020 4:10 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote > > I don't think I'll be checking this website for any "resources" anytime > in > > the near future. > > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
I won't either. Wes N7WS On 1/14/2020 4:10 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote I don't think I'll be checking this website for any "resources" anytime in the near future. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/14/2020 2:48 PM, Roger Kennedy wrote: "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty comparable with other Brits using verticals} Roger G3YRO An easy explanation for what you are seeing is that your feedline is unintentionally radiating as a vertically polarized element. It is really easy to occur unless you go to a lot of trouble to prevent it. And why would you do that? You can find descriptions of the so called "loop sky wire" (horizontal loop) where the reader is warned NOT to use a balun or it won't get out. Rick N6RK _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
It must be a joke. 1730Z would be 4-5 hours before Sunset on the East Coast of the USA. I don't think I'll be checking this website for any "resources" anytime in the near future. https://topbandhams.com/ Starting around 17:30 UTC to 18:0 UTC on 1850, WG3J Eric will be coordinating DX calls from Europe All are welcome to stop in and try your luck >From 18:30 UTC to 22:00 UTC on 1850 is an open mic with the original 1900 group Starting at 20:30 UTC there is a Topic net on 1900 The net uses net logger for checking in " Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always much better after midnight. Roger G3YRO Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Hi Roger, My experience is consistent with almost all topband operators: "160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." I've had 160 horizontal dipoles at 100 feet and 200 feet high and I've never experienced a situation where their performance approached the consistent excellent performance of my verticals. As they say YMMV. 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Roger Kennedy" To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 10:48:51 PM Subject: Topband: Topband resource "However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX." So how is it that I consistently work all over the world on 160m with my horizontal dipole at 50ft?! (and my signals seem to often be pretty comparable with other Brits using verticals} You certainly need a Vertical to work DX on 80m . . . but in my experience 160m propagation is very different . . . I'm guessing it's often quite high angle due to multi-hop or ducting. Also, I don't understand why on the Web page they are talking about NA stations coming on Top Band at 1730 UTC to work Europe . . . I don't find the band opens to NA until at least 2200 . . . and for me signals are always much better after midnight. Roger G3YRO _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Yeah, but I'm not _that_ old! I received WN6BIL from the Little Print Shop (they issued licenses back then, right?) in June of 1970. ;) I signed the resulting QSL cards as the "12 yr old OM." 'JK On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 1:07:54 PM PST, Mike Waters wrote: Yes, for neutralizing tubes. That goes back the early part of the 20th century. ;-) 73, Mike W0BTU On Tue, Jan 14, 2020, 1:54 PM Lee STRAHAN wrote: > Yes, somewhat common in the "hollow state" device days (Tubes). > Old also Wayne. > > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Yes, for neutralizing tubes. That goes back the early part of the 20th century. ;-) 73, Mike W0BTU On Tue, Jan 14, 2020, 1:54 PM Lee STRAHAN wrote: > Yes, somewhat common in the "hollow state" device days (Tubes). > Old also Wayne. > > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Yes, somewhat common in the "hollow state" device days(Tubes). Old also Wayne. Lee K7TJR Subject: Re: Topband: Topband resource Very good Jeff! See Google/Wikipedia. Wiki says "on the order of 1 pf/inch." (You must be as old as I am . . .) - N7NG On 1/14/2020 11:49 AM, Jeff Kincaid wrote: > Hi Fred, > Generally, a gimmick cap is two wires twisted together. Your mileage > will certainly vary, but I seem to recall a rule of thumb suggesting 1 > pF per inch. > Regards,Jeff W6JK > > On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:27:06 AM PST, fmoeves > wrote: > Mike, 160m antennas my favorite subject. I sure wish it would either > get cold or dry out here... Winters here in Kentucky are so wet and I > think it gets wetter every year. One thing I did read in that link was > reference to a "gimmick cap"...not sure what that is?? 73 Fred KB4QZH > _ 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 _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
On 1/14/2020 11:08 AM, Mike Waters wrote: Low, horizontally polarized antennas are usually good for distances within a few hundred miles. However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX. The common myth that a dipole should be low for short distance work is simply not true. Indeed, the optimum height for high angle radiation (NVIS) is a quarter wave (120 ft on 160M) and only 2 dB down from that at 3/8 wave (180 ft on 160M). More important, raising a horizontal dipole or Yagi from a quarter-wave high to a half-wave high is good for almost 6 dB for vertical angles below 40 degrees! See slide 19 and following in http://k9yc.com/VertOrHorizontal-Slides.pdf 73, Jim K9YC _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Very good Jeff! See Google/Wikipedia. Wiki says "on the order of 1 pf/inch." (You must be as old as I am . . .) - N7NG On 1/14/2020 11:49 AM, Jeff Kincaid wrote: Hi Fred, Generally, a gimmick cap is two wires twisted together. Your mileage will certainly vary, but I seem to recall a rule of thumb suggesting 1 pF per inch. Regards,Jeff W6JK On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:27:06 AM PST, fmoeves wrote: Mike, 160m antennas my favorite subject. I sure wish it would either get cold or dry out here... Winters here in Kentucky are so wet and I think it gets wetter every year. One thing I did read in that link was reference to a "gimmick cap"...not sure what that is?? 73 Fred KB4QZH _ 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: Topband resource
On Tue, Jan 14, 2020, 10:41 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: > https://topbandhams.com > A link to some 160 antennas on that same site. > > > https://topbandhams.com/tech-page/6-22-different-wire-antennas-for-the-160-meter-band?fbclid=IwAR06lTswgMULsdMs_wEtKWJXqWpuDgXZPjvx2CNKKqRKztnomzqD6lCC1K8 Thanks, that's an interesting page. The choice of a 160m TX antenna depends on the interests of the operator. Low, horizontally polarized antennas are usually good for distances within a few hundred miles. However, 160 needs vertical polarization for consistent long DX. See https://web.archive.org/web/20180815141931/http://w0btu.com/160_meters.html 73, Mike W0BTU _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
Hi Fred, Generally, a gimmick cap is two wires twisted together. Your mileage will certainly vary, but I seem to recall a rule of thumb suggesting 1 pF per inch. Regards,Jeff W6JK On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 10:27:06 AM PST, fmoeves wrote: Mike, 160m antennas my favorite subject. I sure wish it would either get cold or dry out here... Winters here in Kentucky are so wet and I think it gets wetter every year. One thing I did read in that link was reference to a "gimmick cap"...not sure what that is?? 73 Fred KB4QZH _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Topband resource
I did not read in detail any of the designs or what was on the site. On 1/14/2020 11:25 AM, fmoeves wrote: Mike, 160m antennas my favorite subject. I sure wish it would either get cold or dry out here... Winters here in Kentucky are so wet and I think it gets wetter every year. One thing I did read in that link was reference to a "gimmick cap"...not sure what that is?? 73 Fred KB4QZH _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
