Re: Topband: VK0EK, observations on prop

On Tue,3/29/2016 2:47 PM, David Raymond wrote: The 160m prop at NA SS so far clearly seems to favor the northern part of NA over the southern. All of your observations, not only this one, are pretty much in line with what we're seeing out here in W6/W7. So far, I've heard nothing from them

Re: Topband: Ground conductivity

Bruce, I believe that is extremely possible.  I have witnessed the same exact thing here in northern lower MI where we live in giant sandbox.  I have especially noticed changes in feed point impedance on RX antennas during the winter months when the soils are generally frozen versus the mid

Topband: Ground conductivity

    Done my yearly spring maintenance of my SE single wire Beverage antenna.   With poor soil, It typically is best  with a 350 ohm matching  transformer and a 330 to 350 ohm termination resistor. But this year it is best with a 450 ohm matching transformer and 450 ohm termination resistor.  

Re: Topband: VK0EK, observations on prop

Dave, When I worked them, if I would have had an S Meter instead of the bars on the K3S, it would not have moved in the least by the signals I heard from them. I was sitting at the radio for at least a half hour yesterday, having waited 3 hours the day before & hearing squat fragments of

Topband: VK0EK, observations on prop

Topbanders. . . Here in Iowa I have been a bit challenged with hearing them on various bands from their current location. They've never been strong on any band at any time but sometimes workable. Aside from 160m, they've been weak here on 80, 40, modest signals on 30m and 20m, fleeting and

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

On 3/29/2016 2:12 PM, James Wolf wrote: I did leave a note to the VK0 group and asked if they could spread it out some. Others might do the same. Jim - KR9U I have noticed that, for whatever reason, they are generally only listening a few kHz down. I like to find the edge of the pileup

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

Jim, That's fine, but it doesn't help the immediate situation at hand. And yes, that is the problem. K9UWA and KD9SV who are close to me running K3's didn't give me the problem that others did. I did leave a note to the VK0 group and asked if they could spread it out some. Others might do

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

With my K3s, Using a HI-Z triangular aimed SE, I was listening with a 50 Hz DSP filter width, using the K3s's Audio peak filtering, under a 250 Hz crystal filter, attenuator on, to get them. It was all I could do to hear the faintest ghost of a signal at 23:40Z, replying with my call & the

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

On Tue,3/29/2016 12:31 PM, Kenneth Grimm wrote: Don't you think that one "lid" or "a**" would be sufficient? Not if the offender is a sickie or drunk or both, which these guys clearly are. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

While key clicks were noticeable and QRN/QSB were factors, the real problem for me were the children who kept harassing VK0EKs frequency. Carriers, dits and dahs, all assaulted my eardrums with my RF gain down and audio gain up. Cursing is not my usual thing, but last night I uttered some oaths

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

On Tue,3/29/2016 11:57 AM, James Wolf wrote: Key clicks were at times were covering up their transmit signal, which here was not that strong. That's a problem caused by guys with dirty rigs and/or amps. Better to lean on them about fixing the problem they're causing for others. 73, Jim K9YC

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation

Be sure your noise blanker is off. Rick N6RK On 3/29/2016 11:57 AM, James Wolf wrote: Anyone else have problems with the close split on 80 and 160 last night? Key clicks were at times were covering up their transmit signal, which here was not that strong. Jim - KR9U _ Topband

Topband: VK0EK Operation

Anyone else have problems with the close split on 80 and 160 last night? Key clicks were at times were covering up their transmit signal, which here was not that strong. Jim - KR9U _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

On Tue,3/29/2016 11:03 AM, Milt wrote: Jim, I have never worked Heard on any band, and my only interest is to possibly make the contact on Top Band. Our window of marginal opportunity from here in southern New Mexico (183 degrees bearing to Heard) is like 10 minutes of "common sun not

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

Jim, I have never worked Heard on any band, and my only interest is to possibly make the contact on Top Band. Our window of marginal opportunity from here in southern New Mexico (183 degrees bearing to Heard) is like 10 minutes of "common sun not above the horizon" and NO COMMON DARKNESS.

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

On Tue,3/29/2016 10:19 AM, Tree wrote: There is only one 160 meter antenna - at Atlas Cove. While this is not an optimum location for USA West Coast - they were worked by a number of stations in the morning on 27 March. Guys with very good stations down here (SF Bay area) didn't hear them

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

What doe's this mean? Can someone please explain? I have a 14 minute window at their sunset, This would be my only opportunity to work them on top band assuming that they start 160 meter operation exactly at their sunset time. I have reported this to their "control" station but the only

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

On Tue,3/29/2016 10:10 AM, Chortek, Robert L. wrote: Does this mean there will be no more opportunities during the West Coast sunrise? I doubt that -- they're moving to Spit (the other side of the mountain that blocks their main QTH to west of the Rockies, to VK/ZL, and to some other parts

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

There is only one 160 meter antenna - at Atlas Cove. While this is not an optimum location for USA West Coast - they were worked by a number of stations in the morning on 27 March. I would expect them to continue to be active after their sunset - which I believe is just after 1300Z. For me -

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

They said no low band op from Spit when they are there. I assume they will continue to op from the low bands from Atlas. Bob K6UJ On 3/29/16 10:10 AM, Chortek, Robert L. wrote: Does this mean there will be no more opportunities during the West Coast sunrise? Bob AA Sent from my iPhone

Re: Topband: VK0EK Operation From Spit

Does this mean there will be no more opportunities during the West Coast sunrise? Bob AA Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 29, 2016, at 10:01 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > Got this in response to a question to the pilots. > > They were not on 80 or 160 this morning. > >

Re: Topband: Handheld Impedance Analyzer

On Tue,3/29/2016 7:40 AM, Mike Waters wrote: Interesting! I had no idea that anything was available with that capability. And the AIM2180 is not even the best (or the cheapest) of the units that do it. The winner, by far, is the VNWA 3e. Less than $700 with shipping cables, case, and

Re: Topband: Handheld Impedance Analyzer

Interesting! I had no idea that anything was available with that capability. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 8:49 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > THIS is the way that you do it. The newer graphing boxes (most of them > since AIM4170) will allow you to

Topband: Was: Handheld Impedance Analyzer

I am in complete agreement with Guy. I have been using the AIM 4170 for at least five years and now have replaced it with the VNA 2180. Absolute overkill, but I tell myself I 'need' it because I want to build some filters, some single band antenna matching networks and some common mode chokes.

Re: Topband: Handheld Impedance Analyzer

THIS is the way that you do it. The newer graphing boxes (most of them since AIM4170) will allow you to pre-calibrate a transmission line, and then see all results as if you were really up there. Get an instrument (they are getting less and less expensive) that will graph R and X (both below and

Re: Topband: Handheld Impedance Analyzer

On Mon,3/28/2016 10:29 PM, Henk PA5KT wrote: You can calibrate it with your feedline connected so you do real antenna measurement. One point of clarification. If you make a measurement that accurately provides magnitude and phase, including the SIGN of the phase, then accurately determine