Why do people insist on listing items for sale on this reflector? Is it
that damn difficult to sell your stuff on QTH.com, eBay, etc.?
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: ws6x@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2020 10:06 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re:
Also sorry to learn of the passing of Dick, K2RIW. I was an early builder
of his famous 432 strip line amp (parallel 4CX250Bs) that appeared in April,
1972 QST. My equipment and mechanical skills were limited. While my amp
worked it didn't quite perform as well as it could have. Dick kindly
Sorry to hear of Herb's passing. He was a stalwart Topbander. 73 and RIP
Herb. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: d...@np2j.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 1:21 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Herbert Schoenbohm, KV4FZ: Silent Key
It is with great regret
SigAssuming your interested in DX, your “L” with four elevated radials will
handily beat an inverted vee the vast majority of the time.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
From: Peter Krulewitch
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2020 12:12 PM
To: Joe
Cc: daraym...@iowatelecom.net ; topband@contesting.com
Subject:
The inverted L will out perform and inverted vee, hands down, 90% of the
time. The few exceptions will probably be near your local SR (and other
times) when horizontal polarization can work better.73. . .
Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Peter Krulewitch
Sent:
With springtime QRN quickly developing and many of us having temporarily
decommissioned our antenna systems due to lightning (including me), we have
to expect activity to be down. This is really unfortunate for our southern
hemisphere friends who are so very good about remaining QRV during
I was on last night as well as the past few mornings. The conditions to EU
last night from here were atrocious. I could barely hear OM2XW well enough
for a QSO. Conditions Wednesday night were quite a bit better with about a
dozen or so EUs in the log. Morning conditions have been variable
I got on about 0250z and CQ'd for awhile. The only caller was a VA3
station. I then did some S and worked OM2XW (with difficulty, the band
was awful) and EA6NB. Here in the Midwest we are getting the usual
springtime QRN which was making itself known last night. In another week or
so I'll
While I watch RBN I still watch the old fashioned packet cluster that whose
ship sailed many years ago. Many worthwhile things appear on the cluster
that never appear on RBN. If you really want to know what's going on you
need to be watching both. 73. . .Dave, FLS
-Original
I was QRV for a short time last night and started CQing around 0340z and
worked seven EU stations in about 30 minutes. Conditions were average it
seemed. With warmer atmospheric temps we're starting to see the usual
springtime QRN here in the Midwest. It's not severe yet but getting
Here in the midwest (Iowa) we had some very good conditions to Asia this
morning. When I got to the rig @ 1120z JA1LZR was calling CQ with a 569 signal
to get things started. I then started CQing. I no sooner started when
RT0F/Igor called in with a 579+ signal. He was so strong I first
Topbanders. . .looks like E44 will be in the contest after all. 73. . .
Dave, W0FLS
From: f8...@sfr.fr
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 3:02 AM
To: daraym...@iowatelecom.net
Subject: E44CC on ARRL CONTEST
Hi David,
so it's OK, we will have 1 station this week end for the ARRL contest
Steve. . . "beating this dead horse." You're the one that brought it up. .
.hi. Also, if you waiting in anticipation of the "approaching low band
season" I regret to inform you it's half over. 73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: STEVE DANIEL
Sent: Friday, February
Yes, TT8SN was vigilant about uploading to LoTW. By the time uploaded
myself and got ready to shut down and go to bed my Q was already confirmed.
I have no idea who's operating over there but they are on top of their game.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Joel
Sent:
TT8SN has been QRV on 160 all week long but on FT-8. I had mentioned on KST
last evening that it was too bad he didn’t try some CW. OM3SX must have felt
the same way as he “spotted” TT8SN on 1834 with a request for CW at 0451z. Lo
and behold, 15 minutes later OM3SX spots TT8SN on 1834. I
About five years ago, as part of a test I I built an 80m ground mounted four
squared nested inside my 160m ground mounted four square. The 80m array
never did perform well. The impedances and SWR were normal but, in fact, it
performed poorly. As soon as I moved the 80m array outside and away
Roger. . . while CW activity is most undeniably down, it is not gone. A
couple of nights ago LA1MHA reported on KST working over 100(!) NA stations
in just one evening (morning his time). In the meantime, the band has been
red hot here both mornings and evenings now for over a week.
Conditions were moderately good last evening (NA time) to Europe. I got on at
my SS and then again later in the evening and put 32 EUs (CW) in the log
including some call signs I’ve not heard from in several years. The A50BOC
crew have been active and are trying hard on the low bands. This
Those of us in NA had a pleasant surprise this morning. Chak, JT1CO, showed up
early on 1822.5 calling for NA and then returned a little later around 1020z.
He was reasonable copy much of the time with Q5 signals. There were long,
slow, deep QSB with fades to nil only to return a minute or
Conditions to Asia this morning from here in Iowa were quite good. JH1HDT,
JA0MVW, and JA7BXS were CQing for some time and all had good signals. .
.true 569-579 occasionally peaking 589. Kim/HL3IVL was solid 559-569. .
.the strongest I've heard him this season. JK1OLT, an all time new call
Perhaps more important than short CQs and quick exchanges is for stations to
avoid 1810, 1820, 1830, etc., due to mixes from NA broadcast stations. Many
of us in NA have spurs on those frequencies loud enough to cover weak DX
stations. This has been mentioned before yet a surprising number of
Great conditions last night to EU and the band had some nice CW activity. .
. .5B, 5T, S7, G, F, DJ, EA, OM, ON, UX, SM, LY, OH, HA, EW, CX, JW, PA, and
more. Conditions have actually been good for several days. Unfortunately,
not much activity from Asia in the mornings. . .some faithful VKs,
Unfortunately, there is some information in the Misek book that is simply
not correct based on today's knowledge. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Mike Waters
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2019 5:29 PM
To: Artek Manuals
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Ground return
Hello Rob. . .I discussed this very topic with my furnace guy yesterday
doing annual service on my furnace. The furnace AC blower motors are going
the way of the abacus. He said it won't be long before all furnace blower
motors will be DC.
73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
A nice variety of CW stations QRV this morning on TB. Stations worked here
include ZK3A, 3D2AG, A35JT, VK2WF, and HL5IVL. There were more stations QRV I
was unable to hear/work including stalwart DU7ET, VK6?, others.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
in Iowa
_
Searchable Archives:
. . . and the openings have not just been trans-polar. After getting my
antennas back in service on Monday, Tuesday morning of this week I worked
VK2WF amidst QRN. Prior to my SR he was peaking an honest S5-S6. In spite
of the QRN I decided to get brave and called CQ. I had a weak caller I
The sky is not falling for in terms of CW, it has already fallen.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 5:30 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Summer Update & a Surprise
Same thing was said about SSB.
The sky
Interesting observations Jeff. I will remain on 160 CW as I have in years
past. I enjoy the visceral satisfaction that comes with pulling out the
weak signals and having direct, unencumbered interaction with the station to
which I'm communicating. . .or trying. . .hi. CW is still great fun.
For those of you still waiting for a paper QSL from V84SAA, mine arrived today.
Of course, the LoTW confirmation came a couple of months ago.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Quite the opposite. . .while I'm a CW guy, there can be considerable skill
required for good SSB operation. If you've ever had to run a big SSB pileup
or tried pull out a weak DX signal with a foreign accent, you know what I'm
talking about! 73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original
Andy, et al. . . I will try to be more diligent about getting on with my
modest off-season antenna system. 73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Andree DL8LAS via Topband
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 11:50 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Topband
Hello Topbanders. . .
In my opinion the lack of activity centers on a few key issues:
1. There is no denying FT8 has siphoned off a lot of CW activity, easily
proven by a quick tune of the band any night of the week.
2. Summertime QRN in the northern hemisphere further diminishes CW (and
Greetings topbanders. . .
My recent comment about the quick confirmation via LoTW brought multiple
private responses with comments questioning the need for a donation to receive
speedy V84SAA LoTW confirmation. Several asked why I would even make the
requested $5 donation. I felt the modest
I received my QSL via LoTW weeks or months ago.73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Peter Bacon
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 11:06 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: V84SAA QSL
Anyone received their QSL card for the V84SAA operation yet?
73
Peter
Phased Bevs are great. . .if you have the room and not have to take them down
seasonally for crop work, etc. I put up the Hi-Z 8 circle/160 array about
seven years ago, have not put up a Beverage since. . .and not looked back.
YMMV. . .73. . . Dave, W0FLS
From: Peter Meyer
Sent: Sunday,
Same thing here. . . .lightning season is upon us so the elements here on
the TX array are grounded and the Hi-Z 8 circle array is decommissioned
(amps at elements removed, elements grounded, phasing/switching electronics
removed). I continue to keep my 1/4 wave sloping vertical with elevated
Sitting here listening, observing, and watching the whole thing suddenly
unfold was a totally exhilarating experience. I was cheering for everyone
on KST. . . the camaraderie and support was palpable. I was sad that more
did not make it (it wasn't for lack of trying!). That said, Rune never
Before last night (NA time) Club Log was showing one (1!) NA QSO on 160m. Last
night’s 160m QSOs are now appearing in Club Log which shows 11 NA total QSOs on
160m, so 10 made it through last night. I’m sure more would have made it but
QRN throughout the midwest and southeast kept a log of
They were working EU on 160m during most of our evening here in NA. I
think K7ZV was the first NA to get through about an hour before their SR.
Then less than maybe a dozen or so did make it right up to and past their
SR. They are clearly hearing much better as they were never very strong
Roger. . .the Wednesday activity night is a good idea. I will be on tonight
CQing as I frequently do. Sadly, some evenings that efforts yields zero
QSOs.73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Roger Kennedy
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 2:17 PM
To:
There is simply no substitute for the real, direct, visceral connection one
has with the person on the other end with either CW or SSB modes. I'll be
in charge of the QSO, thank you. Not my computer.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: cqtestk4xs--- via Topband
Sent:
As if there was any doubt, this pretty much proves they're all up on 1840.
I got on this morning and CQd for 40 minutes beaming Asia and never got a
response.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Herbert Schoenbohm
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 1:00 PM
To: TopBand List
And not any better from the Midwest (Iowa). . . .both EU and Asia.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Larry via Topband
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 1:27 PM
To: ws6x@gmail.com
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: CQ160 Conditions
Good job. Unfortunately
It's no wonder when I get on mornings with good conditions there are few, if
any, JA friends to work on CW.
73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Herbert Schoenbohm
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2019 6:49 AM
To: TopBand List
Subject: Topband: 30 Ja's worked today on 160
Using
I can heartily confirm Bob's experience. I live in Iowa and moved from the
suburbs of Des Moines to a rural setting 22 years ago. I have a well
constructed overhead single phase 13.2 kV distribution feed on the road 1/4
mile from my home. My house is fed underground from the pole to the
Wow. . a bunch of excellent responses including Alpha even offering the cap
bank as an assembly (I understand there may have been some failures of this
part). Anyway, I think I got some answers and several good options.
Thanks for sharing the knowledge. See you all in the Stew. . .73. . .
Greetings topbanders. . .
While CQing early this morning I began noticing a faint but troubling smell in
the shack. It smelled like over heated wiring or electrical components. It
continued to get stronger as I realized the odor was coming from the Alpha 99
amp. Indeed, a few moments later
Greetings Topbanders. . .
Tree’s recent post commenting that “the band is in great shape” has some truth.
Conditions on topband this morning from the Midwest (Iowa) to JA were
outstanding. Conditions to at least part of VK were also good as the VK4CT RBN
had me at 14 db. . .virtually the
There is simply no substitute for diversity reception. It has proven its
worth to virtually all who have ever used it. 73 to all. . . Dave,
W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Yuri Blanarovich
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2018 11:13 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re:
Topbanders. . .
Although my geographic perspective is much different than Steve's, I concur
that conditions so far this season have been very poor with the exception of
an occasional bright spot. . . many nights/mornings being remarkably poor.
Far inland here in the Midwest (Iowa) I go night
Trans-polar prop on TB has been good, particularly in the early evenings
shortly after SS here in the Midwest. I have Igor in the log on 19 Oct but
he has not been really copyable here the past few evenings. That said there
has been a fair amount of Z17, Z18, and Z19 in here on NA early
Great idea. . . would be a fitting tribute to a great TB pioneer! 73.
. . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Tree
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2018 9:59 AM
To: w3t...@comcast.net
Cc: 160
Subject: Re: Topband: VE1ZZ Nite
We could rename the PreStew (which starts in one minute).
Some other pleasant surprises. Last evening worked UY0ZG, RZ1OA, UX1A, OH0Z
(a regular) plus a handful of the usual EU. So some nice prop more or less
over the pole. The real surprise came when R8CA called in from Z18. This
morning another Z18, R0SR called in.73. . .Dave, W0FLS
Nothing against FT8 or FT8 enthusiasts, but FT8 activity has certainly
siphoned off a lot of activity on CW, as many of us have predicted and
feared. Anyone doubting this just needs to tune the lower portion of the
band then tune up the band and listen for a moment. I, for one, will be
Yes, install ONE sloper. . .measure and cut to resonance. Duplicate that
measurement for the other three. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Wayne Kline
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 6:03 PM
To: terry burge ; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: trying to tune
I was QRV off an on last evening (Saturday, NA time). Condition were
terrible. Even Wolf, DF2PY, was mostly uncopyable. This morning I got on
and CQ'd for a while. Surprisingly, VK6ATB called in (a first time call
sign). The VK4CT RBN had me at 15 db so condition at least to that part of
Any antenna can work. . . it's a question of degree.
-Original Message-
From: Steve Lawrence
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 9:36 PM
To: John Harden, D.M.D.
Cc: daraym...@iowatelecom.net ; topband@contesting.com ; cfytech24x7
Subject: Re: Topband: Use shunt fed tower
217 DXCC 36
It makes no difference how the tower is fed, a vertical antenna must have
radials of some kind to be effective. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: cfytech24x7
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 11:29 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Use shunt fed tower
A
Greetings Topbanders. . .Wolf is right. Get out phones and fire up the
filaments! I got on TB this morning for the first time this season (just
got the antennas recommissioned after lightning season) and worked VK7CW,
VK5XDX, VK2WF, and VK3HJ. No sign of our good friends from JA yet but
If you are interested in topband propagation. . .being located in the north,
or at least the north central part, is not the optimum place to be. Being
on topband here in Iowa for the past three decades, I can attest that those
to the south of me (even Missouri) enjoy consistently better prop
Hello George. . .
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I don't believe most hams have any
issue with computer-to-computer modes opening up new opportunities for hams
with limited facilities. The rub comes in when those contacts are lumped in
and counted for DXCC mixed and other recognition
IMHO, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the demise of CW (alas).
Between FT8 and RHR, topband standings as we have known them are virtually
meaningless. The guy with a backyard vertical, reasonable radial system,
and 100w can easily accomplish on topband (and get equal DXCC credit)
Alex, HC2AO, was QRV Wednesday night which must have been from a
new/different location. He was running 20w to a 14m inverted L with 2
elevated radials from a balcony. He was weak but workable. He said our QSO
was his first for 2018. From his comments on KST, it sounded like he has
plans
Conditions last night from here in the Midwest (Iowa) to Europe were
exceptional. . .probably the best of the season so far. I got ready to shut
down around 0500z and thought I would take a listen before before I did. I was
hearing Europe pretty well including Zone 16 stations. I called and
Roger. . they are not hearing NA either. There has been some mention of
them dropping a coax over the side of the building and putting up a
Beverage. Not sure whether that is fact of someone's wishful thinking. In
any case, I'm sure they are doing their best. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
There are always lessons to be learned from previous expeditions. if 160m
is a band upon which the team wants to focus, then a high-rise building top
QTH is obviously not a good choice. That said, we must realize there are
many factors involved in choosing the QTH (such as public awareness
It was interesting to observe the EU stations (and a few JA) that used
stateside remotes to work the K1N/Navassa operation on TB. It's rather
obvious when the din of EU stations is a few db above the noise and an IZ1
station comes along and is suddenly 40db/S9. Of course there is nothing
When I refer to a SR peak in my earlier post, I'm referring to an increase
in actual signal levels (with corresponding increase in S/N).
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Nick Hall-Patch
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2018 11:23 AM
To: Petr Ourednik ; topband@contesting.com
There have been many mornings (in fact, most mornings) here in the Midwest
where there has been little or no sunrise peak. If there is one at all, it
is weak. This seems to be consistent with the current pattern of overall
poor conditions. During periods of better conditions it seems we see
Yes, WKYW, 1490 Khz. They are remarkably loud here at the moment (just
after SS). . .about 15-20/S9. And, yes, the signal cuts in and out at
short intervals. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Bill Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5:03 PM
To: topband
BTW, I'm in EN21, in Iowa.
-Original Message-
From: daraym...@iowatelecom.net
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 5:48 PM
To: Bill Stewart ; topband
Subject: Re: Topband: WKYW on 1810kc
Yes, WKYW, 1490 Khz. They are remarkably loud here at the moment (just
after SS). . .about 15-20/S9.
Just shut down but conditions were go to EU from here in the US Midwest
(Iowa) again this evening. . .but not as good as Saturday evening.
73 . . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Roger Kennedy
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2018 5:49 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: DX
I, too, have noticed a lessening in frequency and intensity of sunrise peaks
the past decade. They were so common a decade or so ago that many of us
could pretty much count on them. In addition the openings which are
frequently called "long path" (they are not true long path by my account,
They were even good copy out here in Iowa 50 minutes before SS.
73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: K1FZ-Bruce
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2017 10:13 AM
To: tsho...@gmail.com ; Topband
Subject: Topband: 3C0L
Tim,
They were good copy here also one hour before sunset !
I am
I've had a full size four square on 160 for about 15 years. I still always
put up Beverages. They heard well but usually did not out perform the TX
array. That said, they hear "differently" as one might expect. Several
years ago I put up a Hi-Z 8 circle array optimized for 160. That was
I had no trouble working Jeff from the very interior of North America. .
.Iowa. 73. . . Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Dan Edward Dba East edwards
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 10:33 AM
To: Victor Goncharsky ; Stein-Roar Brobakken
Cc: Raoul Coetzee ; Saulius
For us in the northern hemisphere, the band is quieting down and looking up!
On Sunday of this week I got the station here back to normal on 160m. During
summer months I had been using my alternate antenna which is a 1/4 wave sloping
vertical with elevated radials. For lightning protection
A bit north of the path of total eclipse here 30 W of Des Moines. Had QRN
from nearby thunderstorms so could not read a change in noise levels on 160m
or even 80m. No noticeable change in prop here in any direction on 20m.
With SFI so low to begin with 17m has not been open much with hardly
Mike. . .I would suggest you work on your receive capability first. There's
nothing more obvious (and embarrassing) then to have people calling you that
you can't hear. Beefing up your transmit capability is easily done and can
come later. BTW, a good TX array can also significantly help
Greetings topbanders. . .we’ve had discussions before on the ever increasing
noise floor. Looks like we’re not the only ones paying attention. I live in
the country well outside the Des Moines area. In the past five years or so my
noise floor has gone from –125 or –130 dbm to about –100 db
Hi Bruce. . you must have the luxury of having noise that can be nulled that is
not in the direction of the desired DX! That is often not the case. It is not
infrequent to have multiple noise sources coming from many directions. . .
sometimes to the point that they cannot even be localized
The reality is it ultimately becomes unsolvable regardless of antenna
options. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: K1FZ-Bruce
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2016 12:32 PM
To: Topband
Subject: Topband: Noise sources in general
When I moved here in rural Belfast Maine, year
With ever burgeoning sources of manmade noise (various energy efficient
lights, switching supplies, computer related hardware, etc.) it would seem
the only real way to escape the noise problem is to abandon the the
urban/suburban areas and move to the country. Even then casinos, wind
energy
VO2NS will also respond to request for skeds. . . at least he has for me.
73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Kenneth Grimm
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 10:26 AM
To: Andrzej_SP6AEG
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: zone 2
Hi Andrzej,
I believe that VO2NS in zone 2 is
I have done similar tests with my Hi-Z 8 circle 160m array and agree with
Lee's assessment. My test were based on over the air received signal levels
on individual elements. (There are more uncontrollable variations in this
method as opposed to using C measurements, which is better). My
Success also depends a lot on your location. Working 119 DXCC from a 70'
inv vee from NY is a whole lot easier than doing it, for instance, out here
in the Midwest (Iowa).YMMV. . .73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Joe K2UF
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2016 11:45 AM
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