John,
If it had not been for the window I could not have worked what I have on
160. I would say it had gotten me at least a dozen new ones. One year I
remember giving ON4UN Zone 3 in the window.
I wish you could walk in my shoes once and do a 160 contest from out here.
It might enlighten you.
The antenna driven element also has to be capacitive. The ideal Z for a
hairpin match is 25 - j25. A good tutorial is given starting on page 26-11
of the 20th edition of the ARRL Antenna Handbook.
Hardy N7RT
- Original Message -
From: John Tait br...@iol.ie
To: Kenneth Silverman
Mini-Circuits makes passive attenuators at reasonable prices. They come with
BNC, N, and SMA connectors, those being the most popular. They make various
power levels also. They do not make attenuators with PL259/SO239
connectors. You will have to buy adaptors.
Google Mini-Circuits and take a
I used 2--1800 ohm, 1 watt resistors in parallel. The resistance came out to
be 920 ohms but close enough to see that the F/B ratio was 25 db or so.
73 Hardy N7RT
- Original Message -
From: all...@dejazzd.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 9:50 AM
Subject:
While I was in College I had a ½ wave 20 meter vertical on the top of a two
story apartment building. Fed with a parallel tuned circuit taped at the 50
ohm point with about 20 or so 18 foot radials. Worked like gang busters but
I always had to wait in line to work rare DX. It was not the best
Milt, Mike, and all:
I use 4-hole chassis mount F connectors because like you said, the single
nut F connectors loosen up after awhile with temperature changes. Mouser
carries them but I got mine from Surplus Sales of Nebraska for 30 cents
each in 100 quantity. These also have an o-ring on the
Another cautionary note: I don't have the winds that Jeff does but down here
in Arizona we have the heat ultra violet rays that destroy everything. I
can get about 4 or 5 years use out of window line before it becomes so
brittle it literally cracks and destroys itself.
I am using a K7TJR
Just my observation. If a ground is broken on either end, it will work in
one direction and not the other. I have 3 bidirectional ones here. I have
not noticed any change whether there are 2 ground rods or 4 at each end. But
if one ground gets totally broken it's get out of the chair right now
Hi Everyone,
There are good antennas and everything in between. But the big variable is
propagation. I have been on this band for about 18 or 20 years. I can not
tell you how many hours I have waited for the deep QSB fades to cease just
to work a KP2 from AZ to get another mult. The bottom line
That's the one thing that irks me about ARRL 160. The reason there are not
more stations outside of US participate is that this contest turns out to be
an ARRL 160 Sweepstakes at least this is my opinion from the Westcoast.
Stations turn on their CQ machines and make it very difficult to
Ignacy,
I have a K7TJR 4 square. In fact I was one of the beta testers way back and
I have measured +15 dBm using an HP 435A power meter on the 4 square when
transmitting 1500 watts on my Delta Loop which is 160 feet away. The receive
patterns are very distorted according to EZNEC when I put
Carl,
I thought someone, maybe NASA tried this many years ago and their folley was
that the universal gravitational force equation did in the whole project
because once 2 particles attach to one another that doubles the mass. After
that, a 3rd joins the double, and then a 4th, and so on until
- Original Message -
From: Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com
To: topband topband@contesting.com
Cc: ZR z...@jeremy.mv.com; Richard Fry r...@adams.net
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 7:35 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Monopole Radiation Patterns, takeoff angles etc
Let me expand on what I said
One thing I have noticed with the 7O group, they seem to know when they are
being QRMed and they go QRX. They did that for 15 minutes on 20 meters and
then came back. But I knew their last listening freq and gave them a call
when they said up. Worked fine.
I know, not Topband specific info but
My card says Ukrainian Antarctic Station, operator Roman, UX1KA. He was on
Galindez Island. It is strange to me that they got a VP8 call.
73 N7RT
- Original Message -
From: George w8...@voyager.net
To: Jeff w...@arrl.net; Topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 7:36 PM
This is the reason I don't contest on 160 anymore. No DX window and endless
CQ machines turn the band into just a trashy mess.
N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com
To: k...@arrl.net; topband@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 6:10 PM
Subject: Re: Topband:
Jim,
When I first got on 160 I put one up at the urging of W6KUT (SK) back in the
late '80s. It worked fair but had a lot of QRN from the cars parked
underneath in the garage. The dimensions of the flat garage roof were
exactly the dimensions needed for the K6STI loop so that's where the loop
Bob,
I had the same experience. I was using bare 75 ohm TV hardline as a matching
section on my 160 Delta loop and it was partially buried. But after 2 years,
the outer jacket was almost gone when I had to dig it up. My soil is just
regular sandy dirt.
So my advice to anyone that wants to bury
Has anyone received cards for 80 160 from these operations?
Please reply to me direct.
Tnx Hardy N7RT
All good topband ops know fine whiskey is a daylight beverage.
_
Topband Reflector
Mine came about a month ago. I sent $20 via PayPal.
N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Phil Clements philcleme...@centurylink.net
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:29 PM
Subject: Topband: PT0S QSL Card
I sent a $15 donation on November 30, 2012 via Pay Pal for
If anyone has a clear shot, take it. At the transmitter that is.
- Original Message -
From: Charlie Cunningham charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com
To: 'Tom W8JI' w...@w8ji.com; 'Rick' n...@triad.rr.com;
topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 8:40 PM
Subject: Re:
This is really not rocket science--it's a simple matter of knowing what you
are doing.
Please contact me off line. After doing this for 40+ years I have had more
than a modicum of sucess
Hardy N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Pete Smith N4ZR n...@contesting.com
To: topband
FYI All,
The HP4815A Vector Impedance Meter submersed the main tuning capacitor in an
oil bath of some kind to get the capacitance up. Apparently dissipation
factor was not of concern when the unit was designed. If there are any
retired HP folks out there they may be able to identify what they
They clain they are very long lasting too but I have not found that to be
the case. Six months to a year is all I get. I don't buy them anymore.
But thanks to Joe for explaining how they work. I did not know.
Hardy N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com
To:
I've used window line for many years and it is a maintenance hassle. The
heat and UV here in AZ just eats the stuff up where it has to be replaced
every 5 years or so, and I do twist the line. The last wind storm we had
ripped the line right out of the DXE black plastic insulators which are not
Just an FYI to all on the reflector. I use a corner fed (~25 ft up from the
corner) Delta Loop on 160 and am very happy with it. Apex is at 130 ft. I
eventually had to make it with #10 copper wire as even #12 would break in
the 70 mph winds we get here. A 0.25 wl of 75 ohm coax is used as a
Don,
Tnx for your reply. I see exactly whar's happening. In fact I do the same
thing with my Delta Loop on 160. It's about 110 to 120 ohms at the
feedpoint, so I use a ¼ wavelength of 75 ohm Belden down to a ½ wavelength
of RG213. And that's it. The confusing point is there are two impedance
Everyone please tell me why I have to practically scream into the mic to get
through a pileup with a K3? The FT1000D was no problem, maybe 3-5 calls at
the most. OK I could call for 10 minutes but this K3 is a joke.Let the
flames begin..
N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Ashton Lee
Just an observation to all:
When Tom, N6BT went to Jaimaca and operated 6Y2J (I think was the call) with
verticals on the beach I was blown away. I heard them 2 hours before Sunset
here on 160nuff said. The proof is in the pudding.
73 N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Guy Olinger
really don't how other signals
would be. It's like a drag race with just one car, or a pony show with one
horse.
- Original Message - From: Hardy Landskov To: Tom W8JI ;
TopBand List Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Modeling the proverbial vertical on a beach
Yuri,
I don't think K3LR, W3LPL could afford that kind of property to begin with
plus they have to work and have families and all of that. It is nice to do
that kind of thing on DXPD's but I would not want to live there.
My final 2 centsI vote we move on.
73 N7RT
- Original Message
Juan,
Am I wrong to assume that skimmers are not calibrated? They should be
calibrated to S-9=50 uV into 50 ohms at least to provide some kind of
uniformity band-to-band and skimmer-to-kimmer. I don't know you guys tell me
what's going on because I see these reports scrolling across my screen
McMaster-Carr Industrial Supply, Santa Fe Springs, CA has pulleys from $2 up
to $357. About 20 different flavors.
Hardy N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist rich...@karlquist.com
To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; topband@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 02,
Ed,
I have the same problem. A 25KW station at 1560 KHz just destroys the front
end of my K3. Elecraft did not do a vey good job on their front end
filtering but that's another issue. I finally had to build a 7 pole HPF from
W3NQN's article many years ago. The catch is it has to be able to
Bill,
The HPF article was in QST, Feb 1978, p. 22.
Hardy
- Original Message -
From: Bill Wichers bi...@waveform.net
To: Hardy Landskov n...@cox.net
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 8:57 AM
Subject: RE: Topband: BCB interference ?
Do you have a link to that W3NQN article? I'm only
Carl, et al,
You have valid points. I have resorted, for example to making my own high
power handling T/R relays using Kilovac, Jennings, and other brands of
vacuum relays I can find, with my mill and lathe. This is a part of ham
radio that I thoroughly enjoy !! (I do use the N-Style female
I got up last night for my nightly bathroom ritual and just for grins
listened to 160. They were calling CQ and I worked them on 2 calls. Not many
trying to get them. This was 1035Z.
N7RT
- Original Message -
From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist rich...@karlquist.com
To:
Don and everyone,
Don't forget the ON4KST chat room. I have many Europe Q's for new ones when
the station in Europe would say when they were going to call CQ and where. I
would go and camp on the freq. Yes, the early bird catches the station b4
the East Coast is aware he is on.
73 Hardy N7RT
I think BOG's are under rated. I worked FT5ZM and XV7BM last January with
bidirectional BOG, 550ft long that was under 3 inches of snow that was in the
weeds of southern Utah.
It's all about noise
Hardy N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]
Excuse the bandwidth but is there anyone out there in the moving business? I
need help
Please contact off list.
Thank you
Hardy N7RT
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
http://www.w8ji.com/mfj-259b_calibration.htm
- Original Message -
From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2015 11:35:48 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: MFJ 259B
On Fri,4/3/2015 4:27 PM, Hardy Landskov wrote:
My 259B seems to have drifted
My 259B seems to have drifted for lack of a better term. A 100 ohm resistor
now measures 85 ohms. There are some trim pots inside but no directions on
how to adjust them or align the unit.
Should I send it back or ???
73 Hardy N7RT
_
Topband Reflector Archives -
Mike,
It's your bud from Dayton. I will make this comment: I have modeled 160 rx
antenna systems, Hi-Z 4 square and 8 Circle on EZNEC with the NEC-4 engine.
Anything closer than 200 feet with a 160 tx antenna results in severe
pattern distortion. Also measured +3 to +20 dBm coming into the K3 rx
Why don't we have the drivers of the Indy 500 operate their cars with
joysticks in the stands or somewhere far, far away? Same thing as remote,
right? This is not my radio
My 2 cents.
73 Hardy N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
All I can say is working the P5 was awesome to me for the last one. The
pileups were horrendous, the postage bills too much, but I loved every
minute through the years. And I did love the plaque. I did this to see what
I could do, not to compete with someone else. Some think it's a waste of
time
Bob,
I ran the same thing for years here in AZ with great results. 4 elevated
radials at 12 feet, Each was 132 feet long. Worked 237 countries.
Hardy N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Robert
Harmon
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Should be 24 hrs--right?
N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2016 3:46 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: OT: Studying the ionosphere using RBN
Why waste time and energy with RBN stuff. We
Don't waste your time & $$. It's a cloud warmer which is good SS contests &
local QSO parties.
73 N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
w5...@towerfarm.net
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2016 9:40 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband:
Hi Lee, Gary, et al
In my opinion trying to roll your own as far as the electronics goes is "a
dollar chasing a dime" mentality. I have a Hi-Z 8 Circle and is clearly the
best 160 rx antenna I have ever used. When you use this antenna for the
first time you will never think about your VISA card
Hi All
I have never had a problem with N Connectors. Had soldering problems with
UHF plus there are a lot of nice switches that have N connectors, that are
good bargains. Don't go to XYZ9 for your switches.
My 2 cents
N7RT
-Original Message-
From: Topband
A pig fence only has to be 18 to 24 inches high because pigs can't jump. So
the next time you are on Jeopardy you will know that fact.
N7RT/4
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
Waters
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 5:48 PM
To: DXer
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