Re: Topband: Verifying integrity of 75 ohm coax.

2013-11-16 Thread Gary Smith
I'm trying to eliminate issues with my Rx array and I'm getting birdies that are not heard on the main antenna. If the problem is faulty coax/connectors due to bad work on my end or the help of tree rats that didn't run at the smell of coyote urine then I have my answer. If all is well on my wo

Re: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs

2013-11-16 Thread Guy Olinger K2AV
A clarification or two, sorry for the confusion. First, I only use the F connectors and DXE flooded "RG6" for RX, though I can see putting some amount of 160m power on them, I just don't do so myself. There's a part of me that just cringes at the idea of a KW on an F connector. Same guttural react

Re: Topband: Verifying integrity of 75 ohm coax.

2013-11-16 Thread Jim GM
What is making you believe you have a faulty 75 ohm coax? I would hang a 50 ohm dummy load on it at the end of the cable that goes to the antenna and load it to the same power level you have the problem with. Then move the dummy load to the next joint then the next joint and so on and do the same

Re: Topband: Verifying integrity of 75 ohm coax.

2013-11-16 Thread Gary Smith
Tom & all those that replied, Thanks for the replies. I do have a 259B I bought off of fleabay several years ago & no manual came with it. I only wanted it for SWR readings to adjust my vertical wires since opening the box. I just downloaded the manual on PDF and read the "advanced" section d

Re: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs

2013-11-16 Thread Mike Waters
Same here. I second Guy's observation. And I regularly run the legal limit through my F connectors, and occasionally the legal limit with high SWR! Yet, they don't even feel warm to the touch afterwards. I always make certain that the copper is nice and bright. And on either outdoor F connectors

Re: Topband: NOISE CANCELLERS

2013-11-16 Thread Tom W8JI
What is the best acquisition between Timewave ANC-4 or MFJ-1025? While all of them will work, the Timewave phase adjustment causes a huge change in level. It also has less phase range. That is bad, because you have to go back and forth between the controls more. The phase should really only

Topband: Pirates and K9W

2013-11-16 Thread Mike Bragassa
I had to work them 3-4 times to get a good RTTY QSO. You would think I could achieve "DXCC-K9W-N.I.L-All-Band". Finally got as good one for that mode.. de Mike, K5UO ..

Re: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs

2013-11-16 Thread Guy Olinger K2AV
I use F female to BNC male adapters in the shack with all "RG6" cables terminated in F connectors. I have gone completely to flooded "RG6", matching connectors, and, yes Virginia, the particular tool for those, from DX Engineering. I just haven't found anything better than the F connector for ter

Re: Topband: NOISE CANCELLERS

2013-11-16 Thread ZR
Here is Toms review on the MFJ-1025 along with his modifications to improve it. After doing the mods and using it extensively Im totally happy with it used only on Beverages and BOG's and have no BCB problems. http://www.w8ji.com/mfj-1025_1026.htm The $330 I saved over the NCC-1 was better spe

Re: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs

2013-11-16 Thread Stan Stockton
An alternative would be to use BNC females and an adapter to go from the F male with a male BNC on the other end. I have a of them without any issues. 73...Stan, K5GO On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 9:19 AM, Hank Garretson wrote: > On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 4:38 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR >wrote: > > That is

Topband: Top Loading a Hy-Tower for 160M

2013-11-16 Thread Bob K6ZZ
Hi Folks, I am getting ready to put up a Hygain Hy-Tower and plan to strip all the stubs off it and use it as a dedicated 80M/160M antenna. I would appreciate some pointers to websites or other sources of modification information describing methods to make the Hy-Tower work well on both bands, as

Re: Topband: Coax rodent protection

2013-11-16 Thread Michael Bavoso
Hello to all, I have been reading for some time and never had anything to add until now. I have learned a lot and want to thank all of you for the valuable information. To protect my coax from squirrels and the weed eater... I use 3" perforated drain pipe. I saw a cut down the back side and

Re: Topband: NOISE CANCELLERS

2013-11-16 Thread Jon Zaimes AA1K
DX Engineering NCC-1 tops both. 73/Jon AA1K On 11/16/2013 8:49 AM, Marcelo Chrispin wrote: Good morning, Dears TopBanders I need some opinions, What is the best acquisition between Timewave ANC-4 or MFJ-1025? Thanks for help me! 73s Marcelo Chrispin - PY5MC _

Topband: NOISE CANCELLERS

2013-11-16 Thread Marcelo Chrispin
Good morning, Dears TopBanders I need some opinions, What is the best acquisition between Timewave ANC-4 or MFJ-1025? Thanks for help me! 73s Marcelo Chrispin - PY5MC _ Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Detuning/Grounding Xmit Antenna while on RX

2013-11-16 Thread John K9UWA
> > So, depending on what your radio main antenna port looks like when switched to > receive antennas, you might be able to add 1/4 wave of coax and have exactly > the > same effect with no additional switching at all. > > Otherwise, you run a risk of creating relay sequencing issues. You have t

Re: Topband: Detuning/Grounding Xmit Antenna while on RX

2013-11-16 Thread N1BUG
Can someone explain why grounding the feed of a shunt fed tower prevents it from re-radiating noise? The tower is already grounded. I don't understand how grounding the coax port looking into the gamma or omega match accomplishes the goal. I've been trying to get my shunt fed tower to stop re-

Re: Topband: Detuning/Grounding Xmit Antenna while on RX

2013-11-16 Thread Tom W8JI
I have an 85 foot shunt fed tower that I use on TB. I have a HI-Z 4 Square and some short beverages. The performance of the RX antennas definitely improves (less noise and better directivity) when the TB vertical is shorted to ground. What is the easiest mothod to short the vertical to ground

Re: Topband: Detuning/Grounding Xmit Antenna while on RX

2013-11-16 Thread Jon Zaimes AA1K
Hi Bob, You could use a vacuum relay and key it from the keyer or rig line that is timed keying (such as for an amp). You want it open when transmitting of course. Might even be able to use a smaller non-vacuum relay such as the PC ones used in Top Ten and other relay boxes. Also can put t

Re: Topband: Verifying integrity of 75 ohm coax.

2013-11-16 Thread Tom W8JI
I need to isolate if a problem I am having is in a faulty 75 ohm coax (Remee RG6U flooded variety) where either a critter bit into the coax or a Snap-&-Seal 6QS connector failed, or an electronics issue is the culprit. What's my most expeditious way to prove if it is or is not the Coax? MFJ ana

Re: Topband: Don't give up AND log who worked the DX b4 and after!

2013-11-16 Thread Bernie McClenny, W3UR
Ugh - Let me go on the record as saying I don’t like this idea and I wish this can of worms was not opened! Thankfully US stations (and hopefully others) no longer have second (personal) calls. Yes we have club calls, but thankfully those QSOs will not count for ones personal DXCC records. I’