Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mike Waters]

I fully understand that, Lee. My comment was directed towards others who
were speaking of actual fishnet beacons.

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com



On Feb 19, 2018 10:21 PM, "Lee STRAHAN"  wrote:

   Mike and others,
   Those signals are NOT fishnet beacons. They are as one here said a
version of a navigation system similar to Hyperfix. The reason you hear
three "dings"
Is that there are three transmitters for each one that transmit in sequence
and the electronics aboard ship measures the time of arrival for each pulse
providing harbor navigation.
  How do I know this, I have heard them from the NW  here in OR many times
and looked them up years ago. There have been at least two discussions
about this here on top-band reflector over the years. And as mentioned they
NEVER ID. They are also low power.
Mike I would suggest you Google Hyperfix.
   Lee   K7TJR  OR

-Original Message-
From: ... Mike Waters ...

Google *fishnet beacons *and educate yourself, gentlemen! :-)
_
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Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Lee STRAHAN]

  For any that are interested there is now even a Hyperfix wiki page where you 
can hear a spot on recording of this system.
The loudest one here is near 1813KHz.
https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/HyperFix
Lee   K7TJR   OR
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mike Waters]

Hi Jeff,

I have never heard a beacon on 160 without a callsign, but I believe you.
All the fishnet beacons do, the last I knew.

And unless I missed it, no one in this thread mentioned that either.

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Feb 19, 2018 4:30 PM, "k1zm--- via Topband" 
wrote:

I think these signals (which we call the "O O O" beacons because they send
"DAH DAH DAH" - "DAH DAH DAH"  over and over - are some kind of navigation
beacons in the Eastern  BALTIC. ...
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Roger Allan via Topband]

Clive
Are these signals always audible with you? Here in Worcester there are 
nights when I can't hear them at all so I presumed they were from farther 
away than the Baltic. Tonight I can just detect the one you mentioned on 
1804.9 and by 1813.1 the signal is up to S7.

73 Roger G3TQZ

-Original Message- 
From: Clive GM3POI

Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 10:50 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

I'd hazard a guess at UA1. They do start fairly close to the bottom of the 
US band (currently hearing one on a simple antenna on 1804.9 and they do go 
higher than has been mentioned 1825+. However the strength seems to tail off 
above 1818 or so. The important thing to remember is these can be loud in 
EU, often S9 here and they repeat at about every 0.82khz making the 
selection of an expedition run frequency or even a contest run qrg very 
important. If you are in the Pacific and you don’t make plans for these 
signals you may get lost in the QRM within EU.  73 Clive GM3POI


-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k1zm---  
via Topband

Sent: 19 February 2018 22:30
To: f6...@yahoo.com; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest




Hello Gang


I think these signals (which we call the "O O O" beacons because they send 
"DAH DAH DAH" - "DAH DAH DAH"  over and over - are some kind of navigation 
beacons in the Eastern  BALTIC.


I have heard them starting as high in the band as 1818 (or so - maybe not a 
precise starting point) - and on a really good night I can hear the weaker 
ones down to as low as 1806 and 1803. (or so).



On a really good evening this past week, I heard them (I think) as low as 
1801 - but that is a really weak one.



Curiously, they are not on the air every night - because there are often 
days at a time when they are not operational - or I would surely hear them - 
from where I am located.



They have been on as long as I can remember - they were around in 1977 as I 
recall - when we all used to hang out and rag chew on 1812 SSB - the old 
guys from the nets of those days have mostly passed away now - EI8H, GD4BEG 
etc, - but a few are still with us including AA0RS (G3SZA) and Willem PA0HIP 
who now lives in DU as I recall.



FWIW -


BTW - based on how loud the UPPER ones are from 1814-1818 over here - I 
would think they must be at least 40db  over S9 in WESTERN EU - and spaced 
every 3-4 kHz apart - they peak at about S9+5 or so here at VY2ZM,



73 jeff.





Jeff Briggs
DXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available worldwide through 
BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Royal Society of Great Britain, & 
Amazon




































 Original Message 
From: F6FYA via Topband 
To: topband 
Sent: Mon, Feb 19, 2018 9:10 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

‎I'm a New member of the "Topband list"I agree with Roger for the QRM at the 
bottom of the band. I don't know what they are, fishnet or beacons, but it's 
getting very hard to call CQ on this part of the band. By the way, for me in 
the central west part of France, conditions was much better friday night. 
Working with vertical ant, 21 m, and beverage. So, sorry with my  poor 
english, but a  pleasure to read differents messages from the list's 
members‎. Jean-Paul / F6FYA.Envoyé de mon smartphone BlackBerry 10 sur le 
réseau Orange depuis La Touraine, Dpt 37.  Message d'origine  De: Roger 
KennedyEnvoyé: lundi 19 février 2018 14:34À: topband@contesting.comObjet: 
Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL ContestWell on Friday night I couldn't 
hear one single American station . . . eventhough I heard a couple of 
Southern Europe stations working a few.Saturday night conditions were 
better, but signals were well down on whatthey have been for the past few 
weeks.However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in 
thenight) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few 
inBrazil and the Caribbean.For future reference, here in Britain there are 
about 6 Navigation Beaconsbetween 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old 
Decca HiFix) . . . thesemake copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good 
idea to avoid this partof the band !Roger G3YRO_Topband 
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Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mike Waters]

Google *fishnet beacons *and educate yourself, gentlemen! :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Lee STRAHAN]

   Mike and others,
   Those signals are NOT fishnet beacons. They are as one here said a version 
of a navigation system similar to Hyperfix. The reason you hear three "dings"
Is that there are three transmitters for each one that transmit in sequence and 
the electronics aboard ship measures the time of arrival for each pulse 
providing harbor navigation.
  How do I know this, I have heard them from the NW  here in OR many times and 
looked them up years ago. There have been at least two discussions about this 
here on top-band reflector over the years. And as mentioned they NEVER ID. They 
are also low power.
Mike I would suggest you Google Hyperfix.
   Lee   K7TJR  OR

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 5:09 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

Google *fishnet beacons *and educate yourself, gentlemen! :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Merv Schweigert via Topband]

Correct Lee,  if some have not heard them they need to check the receive 
antennas and

plan for work in the spring.
They were especially loud out here in KH6 back in 2008 etc when 
conditions over the pole
were excellent,  they boomed in before and at sunrise peaks. 
Occasionally via LP at sunset

coming in over central/south America.
73 Merv K9FD/KH6



Mike and others,
Those signals are NOT fishnet beacons. They are as one here said a version of a 
navigation system similar to Hyperfix. The reason you hear three "dings"
Is that there are three transmitters for each one that transmit in sequence and 
the electronics aboard ship measures the time of arrival for each pulse 
providing harbor navigation.
   How do I know this, I have heard them from the NW  here in OR many times and 
looked them up years ago. There have been at least two discussions about this 
here on top-band reflector over the years. And as mentioned they NEVER ID. They 
are also low power.
Mike I would suggest you Google Hyperfix.
Lee   K7TJR  OR

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 5:09 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

Google *fishnet beacons *and educate yourself, gentlemen! :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Topband: Maritime Navigation Beacons on Topband from EU Re: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mark van Wijk]

Best explanation can be found here:

http://alancordwell.co.uk/Legacy/radionavigation/russian/bras.html

73

Mark PA5MW
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mark van Wijk]

I also read somewhere these are navigation beacons in North East-sea area.
Anyone have a known explaining source for this?

Their transmission consist of three  T's; where the 3rd one is 20dB lower in
output and can only be hrd when they are very loud.

About 21 of these can be hrd on 160m, where indeed at about 1813 it seems the
loudest.

For an example see:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pa5mw/38528517942/in/album-72157688739777191/

73

Mark PA5MW

> Op 20 februari 2018 om 5:21 schreef Lee STRAHAN :
> 
>  Mike and others,
>  Those signals are NOT fishnet beacons. They are as one here said a version of
> a navigation system similar to Hyperfix. The reason you hear three "dings"
> Is that there are three transmitters for each one that transmit in sequence
> and the electronics aboard ship measures the time of arrival for each pulse
> providing harbor navigation.
>  How do I know this, I have heard them from the NW here in OR many times and
> looked them up years ago. There have been at least two discussions about this
> here on top-band reflector over the years. And as mentioned they NEVER ID.
> They are also low power.
> Mike I would suggest you Google Hyperfix.
>  Lee K7TJR OR
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike Waters
> Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 5:09 PM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest
> 
> Google *fishnet beacons *and educate yourself, gentlemen! :-)
> 
> 73, Mike
> www.w0btu.com
> _
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Ian Fugler]

Roger

I think the beacons towards the bottom of the band are fishing nets (drift
nets) in eastern Europe/Asia.  They are VERY loud on my east beverage.  I
use 1812.60 to call CQ because that falls nicely in between the fishing net
signals.

I only had a quick listen this weekend on 160m and agree that condx seemed
well down compared with the days running up to ARRL DX.

73,

Ian G4IIY







-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Roger
Kennedy
Sent: 19 February 2018 09:22
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . even
though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.

Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
they have been for the past few weeks.

However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
Brazil and the Caribbean.

For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these
make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part
of the band !

Roger G3YRO


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Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Roger Kennedy]

Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . even
though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.

Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
they have been for the past few weeks.

However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
Brazil and the Caribbean.

For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these
make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part
of the band !

Roger G3YRO


_
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Wes Stewart]

A casual S effort here.  Worked only one EU (LZ2WO) on Saturday night local 
time.

On 2/19/2018 2:21 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote:

Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . even
though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.

Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
they have been for the past few weeks.

However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
Brazil and the Caribbean.

For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these
make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part
of the band !

Roger G3YRO


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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Paul Mclaren]

I am very new on top band and only managed a handful of big guns on the
east coast on Friday night so can't really compare.  I did receive a
message from the GM5A team who were on a beach with big verticals facing NA
over saltwater and they managed 143 q's into 30 states on the Friday night.
  Unfortunately we can't all live on a beach.

Regards

Paul MM0ZBH

On Monday, 19 February 2018, Ian Fugler  wrote:
> Roger
>
> I think the beacons towards the bottom of the band are fishing nets (drift
> nets) in eastern Europe/Asia.  They are VERY loud on my east beverage.  I
> use 1812.60 to call CQ because that falls nicely in between the fishing
net
> signals.
>
> I only had a quick listen this weekend on 160m and agree that condx seemed
> well down compared with the days running up to ARRL DX.
>
> 73,
>
> Ian G4IIY
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Roger
> Kennedy
> Sent: 19 February 2018 09:22
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest
>
> Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . .
even
> though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.
>
> Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
> they have been for the past few weeks.
>
> However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
> night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
> Brazil and the Caribbean.
>
> For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
> between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . .
these
> make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this
part
> of the band !
>
> Roger G3YRO
>
>
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

I worked CT, CT3, F, JA, Kh6, KL7, UA9 for non carib or SA contacts.  I 
missed much of the early Saturday night opening as I was gone.


I was very happy to log the JA and UA9!  Otherwise is was pretty poor.  
80 and 40 were pretty lousy too.


W0MU


On 2/19/2018 2:21 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote:

Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . even
though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.

Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
they have been for the past few weeks.

However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
Brazil and the Caribbean.

For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these
make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part
of the band !

Roger G3YRO


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Topband: A Practical, Self-Resonant, Inverted L for Topband

[Richard Fry]

Below is a link to the description of a topband inverted L antenna with 
dimensions and installation assumptions that could be useful to the 
owner of an average-sized city lot.


https://s20.postimg.org/xz7eiwgwd/Self-_Resonant_Inv_L_for_160_mtrs.gif

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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[F6FYA via Topband]

‎I'm a New member of the "Topband list"

I agree with Roger for the QRM at the bottom of the band. I don't know what 
they are, fishnet or beacons, but it's getting very hard to call CQ on this 
part of the band. 

By the way, for me in the central west part of France, conditions was much 
better friday night. Working with vertical ant, 21 m, and beverage. 

So, sorry with my  poor english, but a  pleasure to read differents messages 
from the list's members‎. 

Jean-Paul / F6FYA.

Envoyé de mon smartphone BlackBerry 10 sur le réseau Orange depuis La Touraine, 
Dpt 37.
  Message d'origine  
De: Roger Kennedy
Envoyé: lundi 19 février 2018 14:34
À: topband@contesting.com
Objet: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . even
though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.

Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what
they have been for the past few weeks.

However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the
night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in
Brazil and the Caribbean.

For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons
between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these
make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part
of the band !

Roger G3YRO


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Re: Topband: 1/2 wave inv L

[Rob Atkinson]

A 180 or 190 degree vertical radiator presents a few different
problems compared to one 90 degrees long, due to the high voltage at
the feedpoint.   You can have ground loss there, but since it is more
of a coupling problem than a return current problem, the earth shield
is usually a copper mesh that extends out around the pier about 20
feet.  Think in terms of the loss at the ends of an inverted V when
the ends are anchored near the ground.

Since the feedpoint is high voltage, the way in which the base of the
radiator is insulated becomes more important, and the ball gap must be
adjusted accordingly, and access to the area kept more secure to
prevent casual contact with the excited base of the radiator.  If a
concrete pier is used to hold a ceramic base insulator, the pier must
be bypassed with copper ground strap so it is not part of the voltage
gradient between the mesh and the radiator, as concrete is conductive.

For ham (in my opinion) none of this is worth the trouble, and I'd go
with a quarter wave antenna.

73

Rob
K5UJ
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Lee. KX4TT via Topband]

Hmmm - I made about 35 QSOs on 160 on Friday night as S - while many QSOs 
were with Caribbean stations, I did get into the EU from 
Florida..worked G, GM, EI, EA6, CU, LX, I, OZ, CR, F, E7, 9A, and 5B4. 
I was running 1300 watts, though, through a 160m Windom, with no separate 
receive antenna. The larger issue for me was QRM, but I had trouble hearing 
stations that are usually QSA4 or QSA5, so I know conditions were not 
good...hope for better conditions next year..

73 de Lee KX4TT


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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[donovanf]

Hi Terry, 


500 pf "doorknob" capacitors are not rated for carrying 
significant RF current. They work great in high impedance 
applications such as plate blocking capacitor but in low 
impedance circuits they carry much more RF current than 
they're capable of handling which heats them and causes 
extreme capacitance variation. 


Use an RF current rated transmitting mica capacitor, vacuum 
capacitor or air capacitor and you'll be good to go. 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

- Original Message -

From: "terry burge"  
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 7:01:27 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest 

I listened a bit on 40 and 80 mtrs last night and the night before on SSB. I 
thought conditions were practically non-existent on 80 especially. 40 wasn't 
much better. Turned the radio off again and worked on other things. Don't 
exactly see any reason for it on the propagation page since the sunspots have 
been at least a bit active (26,20,18, 15,12). Hoping for better conditions this 
coming weekend during the SSB contest on 160. I know that FT8 activity is 
likely to get some qrm around 1842 KHz. 


All this talk about inv-L's has got me wondering about adding a second one 
longer than my '1/4WL' one. But being so cold and the possibility of messing of 
the operation of what I have now has kept me from trying a longer inv-L. That 
and not being sure exactly how much and how high of voltage a variable 
capacitor I would need. I do have some 500pF 10KV doorknob cap I can parallel a 
variable cap with. And now hearing I might need longer radials. An acres and a 
half only allows only about one 160 meter antenna at a time along with my other 
ones. 


But the talk has me thinking. 


Terry 

KI7M 


> On February 19, 2018 at 8:22 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote: 
> 
> 
> I worked CT, CT3, F, JA, Kh6, KL7, UA9 for non carib or SA contacts. I 
> missed much of the early Saturday night opening as I was gone. 
> 
> I was very happy to log the JA and UA9! Otherwise is was pretty poor. 
> 80 and 40 were pretty lousy too. 
> 
> W0MU 
> 
> 
> On 2/19/2018 2:21 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote: 
> 
> > > Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . 
> > > even 
> > though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few. 
> > 
> > Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down on what 
> > they have been for the past few weeks. 
> > 
> > However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in the 
> > night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a few in 
> > Brazil and the Caribbean. 
> > 
> > For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beacons 
> > between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . these 
> > make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid this part 
> > of the band ! 
> > 
> > Roger G3YRO 
> > 
> > 
> > _ 
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
> > 
> > > _ 
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband 
> 
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mike Waters]

Terry,

You don't need a capacitor rated that high, as long as you don't make it
much longer than 1/4 wave on 160. Ohm's Law is your friend, just use one of
the formulas to calculate E from R and P.  :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Feb 19, 2018 1:02 PM, "terry burge"  wrote:

... All this talk about inv-L's has got me wondering about adding a second
one longer than my '1/4WL' one. But being so cold and the possibility of
messing of the operation of what I have now has kept me from trying a
longer inv-L. That and not being sure exactly how much and how high of
voltage a variable capacitor I would need. I do have some 500pF 10KV
doorknob cap I can parallel a variable cap with. And now hearing I might
need longer radials. An acres and a half only allows only about one 160
meter antenna at a time along with my other ones.
_
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Mike Greenway]

Conditions down here also in SE USA.  I had over 150 Q in 62 countries doing an 
all out effort both nights.  I did work G3YRO who was commenting on condition 
and someone mentioned the GM5A station on the water.  They had decent signals 
both nights.  Yes being near the coast makes more of a difference than what 
theory dictates I think. I have a friend that lives in a salt marsh with very 
minimal antennas and he hears 160 stuff that I never hear inland with a large 
selection of receiving antennas.  The last 4 or 5 years have been down for me 
compared to years prior to that.  Hopefully things will swing up next year as 
the flux has pretty much bottomed out.  73 Mike K4PI
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Regarding 1/2 wave inv L topic

[Dick Bingham]

Greetings all

Check out this material IF you have not already done so ===>

*http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com/2017/02/lf-mf-antenna-notes.html
*

73 Dick/w7wkr
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Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[terry burge]

I listened a bit on 40 and 80 mtrs last night and the night before on SSB. I 
thought conditions were practically non-existent on 80 especially.  40 wasn't 
much better. Turned the radio off again and worked on other things. Don't 
exactly see any reason for it on the propagation page since the sunspots have 
been at least a bit active (26,20,18, 15,12). Hoping for better conditions this 
coming weekend during the SSB contest on 160. I know that FT8 activity is 
likely to get some qrm around 1842 KHz.


All this talk about inv-L's has got me wondering about adding a second one 
longer than my '1/4WL' one. But being so cold and the possibility of messing of 
the operation of what I have now has kept me from trying a longer inv-L. That 
and not being sure exactly how much and how high of voltage a variable 
capacitor I would need. I do have some 500pF 10KV doorknob cap I can parallel a 
variable cap with. And now hearing I might need longer radials. An acres and a 
half only allows only about one 160 meter antenna at a time along with my other 
ones.


But the talk has me thinking.


Terry

KI7M


> On February 19, 2018 at 8:22 AM W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
> 
> 
> I worked CT, CT3, F, JA, Kh6, KL7, UA9 for non carib or SA contacts. I
> missed much of the early Saturday night opening as I was gone.
> 
> I was very happy to log the JA and UA9! Otherwise is was pretty poor.
> 80 and 40 were pretty lousy too.
> 
> W0MU
> 
> 
> On 2/19/2018 2:21 AM, Roger Kennedy wrote:
> 
> > > Well on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station 
> . . . even
> > though I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.
> > 
> > Saturday night conditions were better, but signals were well down 
> > on what
> > they have been for the past few weeks.
> > 
> > However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at different times in 
> > the
> > night) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . including a 
> > few in
> > Brazil and the Caribbean.
> > 
> > For future reference, here in Britain there are about 6 Navigation 
> > Beacons
> > between 1810 and 1818 kHz (they sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . 
> > . these
> > make copying weak signals VERY difficult, so a good idea to avoid 
> > this part
> > of the band !
> > 
> > Roger G3YRO
> > 
> > 
> > _
> > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> > 
> > > _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> 
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Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[k1zm--- via Topband]

Hello Gang


I think these signals (which we call the "O O O" beacons because they send "DAH 
DAH DAH" - "DAH DAH DAH"  over and over - are some kind of navigation beacons 
in the Eastern  BALTIC.

I have heard them starting as high in the band as 1818 (or so - maybe not a 
precise starting point) - and on a really good night I can hear the weaker ones 
down to as low as 1806 and 1803. (or so).


On a really good evening this past week, I heard them (I think) as low as 1801 
- but that is a really weak one.


Curiously, they are not on the air every night - because there are often days 
at a time when they are not operational - or I would surely hear them - from 
where I am located.


They have been on as long as I can remember - they were around in 1977 as I 
recall - when we all used to hang out and rag chew on 1812 SSB - the old guys 
from the nets of those days have mostly passed away now - EI8H, GD4BEG etc, - 
but a few are still with us including AA0RS (G3SZA) and Willem PA0HIP who now 
lives in DU as I recall.


FWIW - 


BTW - based on how loud the UPPER ones are from 1814-1818 over here - I would 
think they must be at least 40db  over S9 in WESTERN EU - and spaced every 3-4 
kHz apart - they peak at about S9+5 or so here at VY2ZM,


73 jeff.





Jeff Briggs
DXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters 
Available worldwide through BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Royal 
Society of Great Britain, & Amazon



































 Original Message 
From: F6FYA via Topband 
To: topband 
Sent: Mon, Feb 19, 2018 9:10 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

‎I'm a New member of the "Topband list"I agree with Roger for the QRM at the 
bottom of the band. I don't know what they are, fishnet or beacons, but it's 
getting very hard to call CQ on this part of the band. By the way, for me in 
the central west part of France, conditions was much better friday night. 
Working with vertical ant, 21 m, and beverage. So, sorry with my  poor english, 
but a  pleasure to read differents messages from the list's members‎. Jean-Paul 
/ F6FYA.Envoyé de mon smartphone BlackBerry 10 sur le réseau Orange depuis La 
Touraine, Dpt 37.  Message d'origine  De: Roger KennedyEnvoyé: lundi 19 février 
2018 14:34À: topband@contesting.comObjet: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL 
ContestWell on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . 
eventhough I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.Saturday 
night conditions were better, but signals were well down on whatthey have been 
for the past few weeks.However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at 
different times in thenight) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . 
including a few inBrazil and the Caribbean.For future reference, here in 
Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beaconsbetween 1810 and 1818 kHz (they 
sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . thesemake copying weak signals VERY 
difficult, so a good idea to avoid this partof the band !Roger 
G3YRO_Topband Reflector Archives - 
http://www.contesting.com/_topband_Topband Reflector Archives - 
http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

[Clive GM3POI]

I'd hazard a guess at UA1. They do start fairly close to the bottom of the US 
band (currently hearing one on a simple antenna on 1804.9 and they do go higher 
than has been mentioned 1825+. However the strength seems to tail off above 
1818 or so. The important thing to remember is these can be loud in EU, often 
S9 here and they repeat at about every 0.82khz making the selection of an 
expedition run frequency or even a contest run qrg very important. If you are 
in the Pacific and you don’t make plans for these signals you may get lost in 
the QRM within EU.  73 Clive GM3POI 

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k1zm--- via 
Topband
Sent: 19 February 2018 22:30
To: f6...@yahoo.com; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest




Hello Gang


I think these signals (which we call the "O O O" beacons because they send "DAH 
DAH DAH" - "DAH DAH DAH"  over and over - are some kind of navigation beacons 
in the Eastern  BALTIC.

I have heard them starting as high in the band as 1818 (or so - maybe not a 
precise starting point) - and on a really good night I can hear the weaker ones 
down to as low as 1806 and 1803. (or so).


On a really good evening this past week, I heard them (I think) as low as 1801 
- but that is a really weak one.


Curiously, they are not on the air every night - because there are often days 
at a time when they are not operational - or I would surely hear them - from 
where I am located.


They have been on as long as I can remember - they were around in 1977 as I 
recall - when we all used to hang out and rag chew on 1812 SSB - the old guys 
from the nets of those days have mostly passed away now - EI8H, GD4BEG etc, - 
but a few are still with us including AA0RS (G3SZA) and Willem PA0HIP who now 
lives in DU as I recall.


FWIW - 


BTW - based on how loud the UPPER ones are from 1814-1818 over here - I would 
think they must be at least 40db  over S9 in WESTERN EU - and spaced every 3-4 
kHz apart - they peak at about S9+5 or so here at VY2ZM,


73 jeff.





Jeff Briggs
DXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available worldwide through 
BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Royal Society of Great Britain, & 
Amazon



































 Original Message 
From: F6FYA via Topband 
To: topband 
Sent: Mon, Feb 19, 2018 9:10 pm
Subject: Re: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL Contest

‎I'm a New member of the "Topband list"I agree with Roger for the QRM at the 
bottom of the band. I don't know what they are, fishnet or beacons, but it's 
getting very hard to call CQ on this part of the band. By the way, for me in 
the central west part of France, conditions was much better friday night. 
Working with vertical ant, 21 m, and beverage. So, sorry with my  poor english, 
but a  pleasure to read differents messages from the list's members‎. Jean-Paul 
/ F6FYA.Envoyé de mon smartphone BlackBerry 10 sur le réseau Orange depuis La 
Touraine, Dpt 37.  Message d'origine  De: Roger KennedyEnvoyé: lundi 19 février 
2018 14:34À: topband@contesting.comObjet: Topband: Conditions on 160m for ARRL 
ContestWell on Friday night I couldn't hear one single American station . . . 
eventhough I heard a couple of Southern Europe stations working a few.Saturday 
night conditions were better, but signals were well down on whatthey have been 
for the past few weeks.However, in the 3 hours I spent on the band (at 
different times in thenight) I did manage to work 61 American stations . . . 
including a few inBrazil and the Caribbean.For future reference, here in 
Britain there are about 6 Navigation Beaconsbetween 1810 and 1818 kHz (they 
sound like the old Decca HiFix) . . . thesemake copying weak signals VERY 
difficult, so a good idea to avoid this partof the band !Roger 
G3YRO_Topband Reflector Archives - 
http://www.contesting.com/_topband_Topband Reflector Archives - 
http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband


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