Re: Topband: Hi Z amplifiers for 160

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 another superb article, Jim. tnx!
73, w5xz, dan

On Friday, March 13, 2020, 01:52:39 PM CDT, Jim Brown 
 wrote:  
 
 On 3/13/2020 11:13 AM, Mikek wrote:
> advice about common mode filtering,

This ran in National Contest Journal a year or two ago.

http://k9yc.com/RXChokesTransformers.pdf

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: Topband: CQ WW 160 CW - SK.. ?

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 agree, Henk & jim..
unfortunately, trolls are everywhere, now..
regards, w5xz, dan

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 04:01:57 PM CST, Jim Brown 
 wrote:  
 
 On 2/11/2020 1:26 PM, Henk Remijn PA5KT via Topband wrote:
> I am subscribed to this maillist to learn from others on Topband.
> 
> I would expect subjects like: propagation, antennas, operating practice, 
> etc.
> 
> Not endless mails why Digital is bad, cheating is bad, etc is bad, all 
> others are bad.
> 
> Try to be positive.

YES!

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: Topband: Preamp for YCCC

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 ed: vote 2 for hiZ preamp; has been bulletproof up here.
dsw, komrade, w5xz

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 10:24:47 PM CST, Dennis W0JX via Topband 
 wrote:  
 
 Ed,
Have you considered the HiZ 75 ohm preamp? It is one of 4 recommended by John 
W1FV and is very reasonably priced. It is designed to preserve a 75 ohm input 
which will match the YCCC combiner very well.

73, Dennis W0JX
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Re: Topband: 160 skip distance

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 true enough. i have heard K0RF at high noon, here in north east texas 73, w5xz

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 08:14:58 AM CDT, K4SAV 
 wrote:  
 
 A few years back guys on this forum decided to see what could be worked 
at noon time.  There were a few stations on at that time and I worked 
stations up to 600 miles.  That will vary with band conditions.  It 
doesn't work well if there are no stations on the band.

You can observe the same thing during a major contest when there are 
stations working the band during the day (usually multi-op class stations).

Jerry, K4SAV
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Re: Topband: Skip Distance

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 i see the same thing testing with k5lc only 2 miles away, at high noon...
> 3db variations...trees blowing in the wind ??? makes you crazy...or, crazier, 
> in my case ???
73, w5xz, dan

On Thursday, September 12, 2019, 09:58:57 PM CDT, Arthur Delibert 
 wrote:  
 
 I certainly remember when I was a kid that we would have deep fades on a.m. BC 
stations coming from 20 miles away, plus or minus a few. But that was at night. 
Are you doing your tests in the daytime?  Topband and a.m. BC frequencies are 
so low that I would think they’d reflect off the ionosphere even at near 
vertical angles of incidence. But in the daytime, I would expect the skywave to 
be absorbed by the D layer. 

— Art, KB3FJO 

> On Sep 12, 2019, at 10:35 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV  wrote:
> 
> Decidedly possible.
> 
> W4KAZ RBN node is 7 miles away. There is skywave contamination almost every
> evening with large drops. It can be increased or reduced by the choice of
> antenna at the RX site, but not eliminated.
> 
> The largest signal to the RBN is usually high noon. That is fudged by wet
> local conditions, but very obvious in long dry spells.
> 
> Why or how? No idea. Stuff I was taught all these years doesn't really
> explain.
> 
> You can try your measurements at summer dry high noons part of a dry week.
> Where I live that would improve your results. Can't be sure that
> extrapolates to your location.
> 
> 73, Guy K2AV
> 
>> On Thu, Sep 12, 2019 at 9:02 PM Roger D Johnson  wrote:
>> 
>> I've been running some tests on my 8 circle array with K1JB. Joe is 17
>> miles
>> away and I sometimes notice deep fading on his signal. Makes plotting the
>> antenna pattern very difficult. Is it possible to have skywave
>> contamination
>> at this short range?
>> 
>> 73, Roger
>> _
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>> 
> -- 
> Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
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Re: Topband: Ethernet Interference

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 Trevor, for what it's worth, I have found that not all SMPS's (switch mode 
power supplies ) are the same; some of the small-ish wall warts  spray tons of 
r.f. hash, others, fairly quiet...one video cam supply was incredibly noisy 
here; i put a spare netgear supply on it, and poof, gone.. mind you, i'm 
talking 160m, here..
If it's easy to swap it out, might be worth a try, anyway...and lots cheaper 
than ferrite..
good luck, w5xz, dan

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, 02:51:46 PM CDT, fmoeves  
wrote:  
 
 I got rid of mine by winding many turns on 31 mix.First choke was right at 
very first internet box. And then at the pc. Also everything that enters my pc 
has 31 mix choke even the power cable.I still get birdies from washing machine 
and treadmill but I'll get to that sometime. DXEnginering has some boxes that 
has rj45 connecters on them. Never used them but plug and play. Fred KB4QZH 
 Original message From: MR TREVOR DUNNE  
Date: 9/7/19  2:22 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: 'Moon-net Amateur Radio Moonbounce' 
, 'topband List'  Subject: 
Topband: Ethernet Interference Hi AllI seen a post somewhere recently 
explaining that it was a waste of time putting ferrite on either utp or stp 
Ethernet cables, I can't remember which, or where I read it, I am trying to 
remove some birdies on 2m caused by home network,Anyone have any pointers, I 
have a large amount of cat cable around my house so don't want to replace it 
with the wrong type,ThanksTrevorEI2GLB_Searchable Archives: 
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Re: Topband: 160: Digital only DXCC needed - AKA, things that will kill the hobby..................

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 gosh, am I the only 'old timer' who actually LIKES ft 8 ?? it has put qso's in 
my top band log when the band  has been really crummy...
and yes, i can copy cw...when the band is actually open...
the jtAlert chat window can make the q's more personal, if desired...
73 W5XZ, dan


On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, 02:41:46 PM CDT, Lee. KX4TT via Topband 
 wrote:  
 
 OK - A few more additions

Lee

DMR
C4FM/System Fusion/Wires-X
D-STAR
EchoLink
IRLP
Remote Stations
RemoteHams
Remote Ham Radio
Amplifiers
Big Antennas
Little Antennas
OMs
YLs
XYLs
Harmonics
Sub-Harmonics
Solid-State
Tubes
Integrated Circuits
SDRs



-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of W0MU Mike 
Fatchett
Sent: Tuesday, 6 August, 2019 15:26 
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: 160: Digital only DXCC needed - AKA, things that will 
kill the hobby..

Working by the numbers and  Lists!

On 8/6/2019 1:24 PM, Lee. KX4TT via Topband wrote:
> OK - I think I've got a good start on the 
> list..who knew Joe Taylor was the Antichrist??
>
>
> Things that will kill the hobby.in no particular 
> order
>
> Spark
> CW
> AM
> SSB
> FM
> RTTY
> Packet
> Amtor
> Pactor
> Winlink
> PSK31
> PSK63
> MSFK8
> MSFK16
> M-RTTY
> EME
> Computers
> DXpeditions
> Contesters
> Holiday DXpeditions
> Nets
> OQRS
> PayPal
> Ebay
> Ragchewers
> Not enough computers
> Windows
> Linux
> Android
> MacOS
> Lowband Operators
> VHF operators
> Satellite Operators
> Microwave Operators
> Parks on the Air
> Islands on the Air
> Summits on the Air
> DXCC
> WAS
> VUCC
> WAZ
> ARRL
> CQ Magazine (didn't want them to feel left out by ARRL on the list)
> 73 Magazine (everyone is SK, so we shouldn't get any 
> pushback)...
> Propagation is not good enough - I can't hear people I want to talk to.
> Propagation is too good - I can hear people I don't want to talk 
> to
> K1MAN - OK, we could remove this as the odious little man (Glenn 
> Baxter) is SK, but where's the fun in that??
> FCC
> Appliance Operators
> CB guys
> QRP
> QRO
> Using Paddles
> Using a straight Key
> Using A Bug
> Using A Bug as a Straight Key
> Using a Keyer
> QRM
> QRN
> DQRM - That one we should keep on the list
> Kenwood
> Yaesu
> Icom
> Elecraft
> Tower Rules
> JT65
> JT9
> FT8
> FT4
> K1JT
>
>
> Guys, it's probably not a complete list..but 
> it's a start!!
>
>
> 73 de Lee KX4TT
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _
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Re: Topband: RX antennas comparison chart

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 me 2...i've been using a hiZ 4square on opposite sides of my house in a small, 
noisy suburban location for > 10 years...Lee IS 'da man'...i was 'an early 
adopter..'
i don't keep up with the Texas, or 5 land, rural big guns, but i try, ha! at 
242 worked, still a long ways from 300 since i started over 11 years ago on 
160m..
the array really does reject summer t-storm activity nicely, as well
73, good luck, w5xz, dan

On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 05:18:39 PM CDT, Gary Smith  
wrote:  
 
 I too voice the support for HI-Z antennas. 
The best possible out there? That I have 
no idea, but after many different attempts 
to hear on 160, the HI-Z Triangle was 
wonderful and performed better by far than 
my efforts in a marsh, trying to put up Rx 
antennas. I then bought the 8 element with 
it's 110 foot or so diameter and it is 
even better. I use them both with the 
Diversity in the K3s.

73,

Gary
KA1J



> I can vouch for Lee's Hi-Z designs.  I am using the Hi-Z Triangular
> Array at 50 foot spacing and get 6 directions. It works about the same
> as a 500-700 foot beverage with better front to back.  You get that
> with a 50 foot triangle in the corner of your lot.  If you get the
> triangular array optimized for 80 it's only 40 foot spacing.
> 
> Not only does it hear much better than my transmit antenna on a night
> when there are storms I can point it away from the lightning and still
> hear quite well. It has the added benefit that you don't use ground
> radials at each vertical, just a ground rod for each antenna.
> 
> Tim, K9CQ
> 
> -Original Message- 
> From: Lee STRAHAN
> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:05 PM
> To: terry burge ; topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: RX antennas comparison chart
> 
> I have another comparison chart here on the Hi-Z Antennas website. It
> has a little more information.
> https://www.hizantennas.com/receiving_antennacomparison_char.htm
> 
> Lee  K7TJR
> Hi-Z Antennas
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Topband  On Behalf Of terry
> burge Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 11:44 AM To:
> topband@contesting.com; terry burge  Subject:
> Topband: RX antennas comparison chart
> 
> Thanks to Bob, N4PQX I got this link to an active chart comparing RX
> antennas. Thanks to K7TJR this might prove very helpful to anyone
> thinking about investing in a receive antenna. Also has some active
> plots for the various antennas. Terry, KI7M
> 
> 
> https://www.k7tjr.com/rx1comparison.htm
> 
> 
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Re: Topband: FT-8 My Recent Experience

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 amen, Cecil..
73, w5xz, dan

On Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 5:45:49 PM CDT, Cecil  
wrote:  
 
 It seems to be a recurring issue herecan’t shake the elitist attitude.

Do what you enjoy doing...don’t beat others up for doing the same...if you find 
yourself alone re-evaluate...

Cecil

Sent from my iPad

> On May 29, 2019, at 5:39 PM, DXer  wrote:
> 
> Really sad to see that this 'comet' is already back in Topband 'orbit'.
> 
> Do we have new list members, by any chance? People that are hearing/reading 
> about FT8 on topband for the first time?
> 
> Nobody went to Dayton last week? What about the Topband Dinner? I was there, 
> and FT8 was not an issue.
> 
> I must have missed the 'multitude' of posts about the Hamvention.
> 
> 73 de Vince, VA3VF
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Re: Topband: NA activity CW topband ....................

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 as usual, I will be qrv all season.  my small, noise plagued, suburban station 
on 1/2 acre lot is fairly easy to maintain.  My HiZ preamps have never failed 
from lightning events in 10 years of use, and if my Tx marconi falls down, it's 
not too difficult to shoot new ropes over 2 trees.
heavy weather events DO call for pull-the-plug shut down, however...like this 
week end
swl'n on 'Taliban mode' mostly ( FT 8 ), but watch cw / ssb on pan / waterfall 
also
I do pull the trigger with some CQ's almost every night..usually on 'Taliban 
mode'..
73, w5xz, dan, Longview Texas, 160m only here..


On Saturday, April 13, 2019, 1:11:26 PM CDT, uy0zg  wrote: 
 
 
 
Thank you all

See you at 160 !

For information - my first three qso in the season only on the antenna 
TX (vertical)

160m  K4IQJ  --01.10.2018 ---03:30 ---CW
160m  K3JJG  --01.10.2018 --- 03:33 ---CW
160m  NV3N  --01.10.2018 --- 03:48 ---CW


---
Nick, UY0ZG
http://www.topband.in.ua
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Re: Topband: Dual RX SDR receivers (diversity capable)

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 the lowly Red Pitaya will do it..
73, w5xz, dan

On Sunday, January 13, 2019, 9:28:34 AM CST, Bjorn SM0MDG 
 wrote:  
 
 Hi gang,

Are there any resources out there listing (and comparing) dual RX SDR 
receivers? I am interested SDR receivers with dual independent RX channels 
synchronised primarely for diversity RX.

73 de Björn,
SM0MDG
SE0X










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Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters - Station Location and Boundary

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

 gotta chip in my $0.02 on this, for what little it may be worth..
i have access to some remote rural property, here in texas, and in 
oklahoma..but k5rk and w7rh pointed out 'its not legal for dxcc if an Rx only 
site'but RHR is ok ( ? )
the league's requirement that my transmit antenna be there also greatly 
increases the cost / time / complexity commitment compared to an Rx only site; 
i COULD continue to Tx from my home qth, and listen from someplace quieter, 
with more favorable local terrain..IF it was 'legal' for DXCC..
how about 'same call area' or adjacent states / provinces instead of 500m ?
presently, still struggling with man made noise in Hunter's Creek, longview, 
texas...a very long ways from any salt water...VERY lucky to land zone 17 
recently, #38, on demon-cheater mode ( FT-8 )... atter 10 years on 160m, when i 
started from scratch.
happy holidays, y'all, and good luck!
73, W5XZ, dan
On Thursday, November 22, 2018, 8:05:50 AM CST, Bill Cromwell 
 wrote:  
 
 Hi Joe,

I would have never assumed that you have acreage whether 5 acres or 
something the size of the King Ranch. All of those electrical belches 
are difficult to escape. Moving your receiver out into the swamp, 
forest, desert, craggy mountaintop or anywhere besides your desktop can 
help. Using DSP can help and maybe even more than physical isolation. 
Remote receivers can have both. Have you tried DSP?

The software packages come with spectrum displays - much like 
panadapters - and I have been able to pick out Morse signals between the 
points of some digital crap resembling the Burger King's crown. Without 
the DSP there was no way to even hear that CW signal or know it existed. 
It's not 1956 any more. We have to do whatever we have to do to pull 
those signals out. Where I live my worst handicap is my 100 foot lot 
followed by the automotive body shop and it's welders about 250 feet 
from my back door. DSP is able to pull some signals out even when the 
welder is in use! In spite of my undersize antennas. 160 DXCC? It ain't 
going to happen here. I shouldn't even be on 160 meters, But I keep trying.

73,

Bill  KU8H

On 11/22/18 7:38 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> 
> On 2018-11-22 2:08 AM, kol...@rcn.com wrote:
>> And this is easy to say when you have 5 acres in a semi-rural area, hi 
>> hi.
> 
> With no antennas.  I have not been seriously active on low bands in the
> 20 years I've been here precisely because of the increasing prevalence
> of the multiple remote receiver/remote station operations.  However,
> even semi-rural areas have significant problems with noise from poorly
> maintained power lines, neighbor's plasma TVs, etc.
> 
> Multiple remote receiver/"pick your remote station" is the scourge of
> DXCC in general as it completely removes both station building and
> operating skills from the equation and replaces them with the check
> book.  One might as well replace amateur radio with "hamsphere" or
> IRL.
> 
> 73,
> 
>     ... Joe, W4TV
> 
> _
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> 

-- 
bark less - wag more
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Re: Topband: WWV/WWVH versus ham beacons

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

agree 100% with Dr. Ofwiw
73, w5xz, dan


 

On Monday, August 27, 2018 10:36 PM, Dr. Wolf Ostwald  
wrote:
 

 Hello everybody !

the ham band beacons dont launch the necessary ERP. The signal from 
WWV/WWVH equals that of a well equiped extra class station with power 
and a yagi antenna, at least from 10mc and up.

In case of monitoring WWV/WWVH You dont need to wait until the beacons 
cycle around and the one u want comes up. maybe even in a QSB period. In 
short words, the availability of WWV/WWVH is far superior to all the FT8 
/ PSK and whatever stuff. Let alone that u always need the computer, 
plus internet. Additionally all the other stuff depends on availability, 
has the problem of usage of very different antenna systems and power at 
different locations, in short words again, not very useful for reliable 
comparison.

May it be as it is, the NIST stations are the real Mc Coy


73 de wolf   df2py

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Re: Topband: OT - US Hams, WWV closure

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

JM2C...
I find WWV on 2.5 Mhz quite useful to verity the directivity of top band 
receiving antennas;  VERY hand for quick troubleshooting...
also, great fun seeing Luis, IV3PRK, QRV again, on FT 8..
73 all, W5XZ, dan

 

On Wednesday, August 22, 2018 10:55 AM, Jim Thomson  
wrote:
 

 Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:17:57 +
From: Charles Moizeau 
To: "k...@radioprism.com" , Topband

Subject: Re: Topband: OT - US Hams, WWV closure

##  David  does not ..get it.  WWV et all is  both  a  Time  AND  Freq  
station.    I use the 20 mhz WWV  to align the TCXOs in  all 4 of my yaesu  
xcvrs.
I would be dead in the water without them.  BTW, if you do use  WWV  to align 
the TCXO in your  xcvr, any brand,  use the highest freq  WWV that you can RX. 
I have used the 20 mhz  WWV during the daytime even though it was weak, and had 
to use a 250 hz  cw  filter, the  job can still be done correctly.    If 
instead you use
say the  2.5 mhz  WWV.. vs the  20 mhz wwv,  your  error  will be off by  8 X.  
IE:  1 hz off at  2.5 mhz  = 8 hz off at 20 mhz.    I can typ align the  TCXO 
at 20 mhz wwv,
within a fraction of one hz.    I pre-program all the  wwv freqs in the memory, 
cw mode,  narrow filter etc, and leave the covers off.    The  xcvr has to be 
turned on for several hours
before you can attempt to do the alignment. 

##  ANYBODY can sign the petition..from any country .  I just signed it  
minutes ago.  Who cares if they have your  email address ?  The cost savings 
they are talking about amounts to very little. 
It  would cost a helluva lot more to  dismantle them completely.  Besides  TIME 
and freq standards,  WWV  provides  for a myriad of other  features.

Jim  VE7RF    




David,


Like you I support the petition.  However, I will lend my name to it because I 
don't want to selfishly chicken out for all the valid reasons you note.


Heck, it was only last week that Medicare, after many years, sent me a new 
card, proudly announcing how pleased they now are with the fact that cards do 
not need to show a social security number.  Gosh, it took what, 50 years, for 
that revelation to occur to them!


Yet, I'm still asked several times a month for my SSN, and stopped in my tracks 
if I don't give it.


I agree with you in that I can't understand the prevailing rush to abandon 
one's privacy.  It amazes me that almost 30 percent of this planet's population 
actively uses Facebook.

I haven't the slightest intention of ever joining the braggarts, liars and 
narcissists in the playpens where they almost daily feed, feast and upchuck .


However, my life has been worthily enriched by Google Earth, Google Translate, 
and yes, out of laziness, or as you might put it, carelessness, Google Search.  
I buy stuff from Amazon and use EZ-Pass on my car.  I know I'm walking naked, 
but so is everyone else (and don't be so sure that you aren't as well).


Take comfort, David, in the fact that naked or perhaps a bit less so, we're 
both smarter than most of the dolts and dopes out there who collect all our 
stuff.


73,


Charles, W2SH.


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Re: Topband: WD8DSB & LU5OM 160 meter year long test complete

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

good work, don and manuel !
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Thursday, August 2, 2018 1:57 PM, Steve  wrote:
 

 
>This reminds me of the QSOs VE7SB (I think I remember that call right) and
VK3ZL did.

Tree..it was Bob, VE7BS in Pemberton. I would often listen during their 
summer dawn chats using my ICF-2010 Sony and built-in ferrite loop. Often 
the VKs were good copy here on the kitchen table! I think condx must have 
been much different back then.

Steve VE7SL


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Topband: 2nd try, you tube link, kh1, 160m, first night

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeIDXom-se4
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Topband: KH1 in texas on 160m

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

i made a short video with my cellphone a few minutes after i worked the boys, 
the first night..
this, from Longview, Tx, suburbs, with my HiZ 4sq, looking southwest..
they were actually MUCH better copy than this sounds..
73, w5xz, dan
Baker is. In North east texas


  
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Re: Topband: FT-8 question

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

nope, my lot is 120' x  160'...1/2 acre in suburbia...and like you, different 
flavors of noise in different directions...
I DO find FT-8 hears about 10 db better than i can on cw...FWIW...
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 2:47 PM, Jim Thomson  
wrote:
 

 Folks on FT-8 use a 2.5 khz  ssb wide RX  filter.    FT-8 is supposed to be 
good for 20 db  below the noise floor. 
I assume that means 20 db below the noise floor of the 2.5 khz RX filter ? 

But a 250 hz cw filter would drop the noise floor by 10 db... vs the 2.5 khz 
wider filter... if CW mode used. 

So  if Im reading this correctly,  FT-8 mode, using a 2.5 khz filteris 
really only 10 db better than a 250 hz cw filter, using cw mode ? 

If that is the case,  being able to copy signals 10 db  weaker than the noise 
floor of a  250 hz filter is still nothing to sneeze at. 

The issue I see with FT-8.. on any band is the requirement for a  2.5 khz 
filter and possibly being prone to qrm. 

Right now, my issue is extreme high noise levels on 160m... on a 100 by 130 
city lot.    Point a semi directional RX ant in the desired direction and 
its 
also pointed at a noise source.  Seems like I am surrounded by noise on 160m.  
Im going to drag out by noise canceller and try some more rx experiments,
b4 I throw in the towel.    FT-8 might just be an option for folks like myself 
that are plagued with high levels of noise.  Another possible option might be 
the use of real time  remote RX.  Another possible option might be using my 80m 
rotary dipole for 160m RX.  As is, its infuriating listening to high noise 
levels on 160m.  If I cant hear on 160m...except for the usual louder stations, 
 Im not going to even try TX. 

I have tried using a pair of  500 hz filters, and also a pair of 250 hz 
filters, and also a 125 + 250 combo, in both my MK-V..and also 1000-D. 
The MK-V also has a 240-120-60hz  dsp filter.  The 1000-D has a tunable audio 
cw filter.  The problem with the narrow xtal filters is...
with noise levels so high, the noise...  rings out the filters.  The signals 
coming out of  each filter... get stretched a bit in time duration.
What Im left with is this mess whereby the desired signals +  noise end up all 
mashed together.  Typ noise on 160m, using a 2.4 filter
is S9 to S9 + 10 db.  Right now, Im trying to evaluate if 160m is even worth 
the effort required.  Are the  rest of you on 5 acres out in the woods ? 

Jim  VE7RF  


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Re: Topband: Vac relay keying

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

hey trevor
I just tell my 6500 to delay tx for 25 ms, to accommodate slow, cheap open 
frame relays here and there..
obviously, not QSK grade solution, but'just sayin'...
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Wednesday, November 15, 2017 8:19 AM, MR TREVOR DUNNE 
 wrote:
 

 Hi Jim

I'm trying to detune my TX vertical on RX, I want to use the tx out on my flex 
6500 to do the switching I can add in delays using the flex software which is 
handy,

So basically when I tx I want the relay to close and when I un-key it opens and 
it shorts the tx antenna to ground,

It's how the 26v supply with effect the flex Im worried about? I don't want 
anything to damage it, I have a small circuit keying the 12v relay I'm 
currently using but moving to 26v has me confused,

Thanks
Trevor
EI2GLB 


- Original Message -
From: MU 4CX250B <4cx2...@miamioh.edu>
To: MR TREVOR DUNNE 
Cc: topband List 
Sent: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 13:24:55 - (GMT)
Subject: Re: Topband: Vac relay keying

Trevor,
It’s unclear to me what you’re looking for. One transistor and a 24V power
supply can activate a vacuum relay, but are you trying to key up an
amplifier with the relay, ground a receive antenna, implement a QSK
circuit, or what? Do you want to sequence the relay to prevent
hot-switching. What kind of delay time (e.g., 10 mS) is acceptable? If you
specify your needs more completely, I’m sure people on the list can
recommend solutions.

BTW, i don't care for “hot shot’ circuits that pulse relays with a
momentary voltage spike to speed them up. They work okay on large open
frame relays, but can damage small vacuum relays that have a much more
fragile internal construction. In tests here, I found that they can also
lead to excessive contact bounce, sometimes as many as 15 bounces. There
are better solutions!

73,
Jim w8zr
Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 15, 2017, at 2:01 AM, MR TREVOR DUNNE  wrote:

I'm still looking for a way to do this can't see anything on W8JI's site
suitable and the fast relay link isn't what I'm after,

Thanks
Trevor
EI2GLB
- Original Message -
From: MR TREVOR DUNNE 
To: 'topband List' 
Sent: Tue, 14 Nov 2017 19:51:18 - (GMT)
Subject: Topband: Vac relay keying

Hi Guys

Can someone point me in the direction of a circuit I can use to key a 26v
vacuum relay using the tx out on my rig,

I have a 24v PSU I just need to know how to switch on the feed to the relay
as quick as possible when I TX,

Thanks
Trevor
EI2GLB
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Re: Topband: Change in 160m conditions

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I have the same experience as Dave, in recent years... though with a much more 
modest antenna farm...in suburban Longview, Tx.
JM2C, w5xz, dan
 

On Thursday, November 9, 2017 7:30 AM, JC  wrote:
 

 
>>
It seems to me that DX conditions have been pretty poor for the past 10
years on 160m . . .
<<

Hi Roger

I see your point on things changing. However I have a different experience.
The noise is up. Every day there is a new "thing" that used FVD, switching
power supply and the LED's.. oh boy the LED's  that generate noise up to 50
MHz

Old antennas practice does not work any mote the way it worked 10 years ago.
Null canceling , deep front back, and other "simple"  to achieve is not
enough.

The last 10 years has been very different, check the K9LA presentation on
WWROF archives how long the deep of solar cycle last. Carl shows the last 5
cycles last 2 years between less than 20 SSN. The last cycle 24 last almost
5 years, see page 8 here;


http://wwrof.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WWROF-A-Look-at-Propagation-for-
the-2017-2018-Contest-Season-pdf.pdf

The actual cycle may be longer and better than 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

I started on 160m in 1970 , for me, and the ones with new antennas with 12
db RDF or more, the last 10 years was the best ever on 160m, and here is why
I say that,


1- I worked #294 countries in the last 10 years and I heard #310, the 16
countries I missed was because my 1500w was not enough to be heard on the
other side. (lack of RX antenna on the DX side)

2- NX4D, Doug worked # 305 and heat probably a dozen more on the last  13
years.

3- The Waller Flag horizontal can dig signals 20 db below  the same noise
from the vertical TX antenna. 

4- I live in a city lot with noise from everywhere. All my 160m antennas are
in my back yard 100 x 150 ft.

5- Doug also has noise on the sub-division and live on 1/5 acre lot. 

6- I know, and personal helped more than 50 WF installation and all antennas
is performing as my original WF

7- The extra 23 years on the deep cycle 24, 2009,2010 and 2011 provided a
large number of long path SSW/SSE openings with south Asia. I experiences
hundreds of days with openings. The SSE/SSW path  will be open soon.

8- Low RDF antennas does help and it is a game change, a simple FLAG, EWE,
K9AY, SAL , all near 8 db RDF doe hear station Q5 that you can't head on the
TX antenna, however 2 flags, EWE, K9AY in phase can increase the RDF near to
12 dB and you can dig 8 to 10 db more below the noise flor.

9- 1db increase on the  RDF increases 2 db or more noise figure, it's a
measured number with real antennas and signals on the band, not a simulation
on EZNEC or calculations. you can measure it too.

10- For the new generation using digital FT8, the improvement is the same, a
HWF can improve a signal -19 db to a +1 db. it means you  are missing
another 20 db layer of weak signals without  high performance RX antenna.


It point is :

You don't know what you are missing if you don't have anything to compare
with. 

Get a high RDF  RX antennas! You can't have enough.

The deep of cycle 25 can last 6 or more years, think about that. We are just
at the door.

JC
N4IS




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Re: Topband: TZ4AM

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

wait a minute. I think Jeff can hear ok.  He heard MY puny signal on 160m...it 
was not easy, but it IS possible without 10kw..
73, good luck, w5xz, dan
 

On Monday, October 16, 2017 10:29 AM, Victor Goncharsky via Topband 
 wrote:
 

 HI Stein,
What my good old friend Saulius wants to say is that there's no chance to work 
TZ4AM from here in Central Europe unless one has 10 kW and at least full size 
vertical. I'm personally not paying attention to both RBN and cluster 160m 
TZ4AM spots anymore. 
On the other hand, we have worked Jeff on other bands including 6 meters 
without any problem.

Talking about Africa, since 2013, when I came back to 160m, the following 
countries from that area have been easily worked:
3X, 5N, 5T, 5U, 5V, 6W, 9G, S0, TU, XT2 so African noise is not a major factor.
Finally, the skip can not be "wrong" day by day and month by month.
Occam's razor cuts this assumption off.
>Понедельник, 16 октября 2017, 13:46 UTC от Stein-Roar Brobakken 
>:
>
>Hi
>LY5W, Try go to africa and join the QRN! 
>
>I been in africa twice on dxped, also in pacific.
>
>Not all spots had less than S8-s9+20 dbs noise level from time to time.
>
>I also operated 160m and experienced signals «skipping» over a distance.. so 
>he migth have wrong skip!!
>
>
>Best Regards,
>Stein-Roar Brobakken
>LB3RE K3RAG
>
> 
>> 16. okt. 2017 kl. 15:16 skrev Don Kirk < wd8...@gmail.com >:
>> 
>> Hi Sam (LY5W),
>> 
>> Check out the QRZ page for TZ4AM for info on equipment (including antennas).
>> 
>> Don (wd8dsb)
>> 
>> On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 7:01 AM, Saulius Zalnerauskas < ly5w@gmail.com >
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> They think what I am wrong. But true - TZ4AM no copy 99% stations.
>>> Wonder what trcvr he is using and other RX ?
>>> 
>>> Sam LY5W
>>> 
>>> On Mon, Oct 16, 2017 at 12:05 PM, Victor Goncharsky < us...@bk.ru > wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> _
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>


-- 
73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, ex UB5WE), P.E.
UARL Technical and VHF Committies
DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone), 9BDXCC, 8BWAS
DXCC card checker (160 meters).
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Re: Topband: JT1CO/JT5DX 160m Report de K1ZM

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

bravo, Jeff!!
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Friday, June 2, 2017 10:53 AM, Mark K3MSB  wrote:
 

 Thanks for that very interesting update Jeff.

May I inquire as to the reason Chak no longer has antennas at his home
JT1CO site?

73 Mark K3MSB

On Jun 1, 2017 11:27 PM, "k1zm--- via Topband" 
wrote:

> Hi Guys
>
>
> Having just returned from JT5DX, I thought I would pass along a few bits
> of information for use next Winter season on Topband when NA again has some
> lowband PROP to JT land.
>
>
> The team installed the following 160M antennas this past month at the
> FARM  SITE - JT5DX.  There are no antennas remaining now at JT1CO in Ulan
> Bator, eg:  Chak's home location.
>
>
> 160M - 4 element fixed yagi at 100 feet aimed at EUROPE (I do not know if
> this antenna will be removed or not as it was installed primarily for the
> CQ WPX CW contest and it may be removed at some point).
>
>
> 160M 4 square array suspended from a 120 ft tower.  This antenna is
> switched in 4 directions using a conventional COMTEK box.  This antenna
> should be permanent.
>
>
> 160M - 8 circle RX array for 160M - this antenna is also permanently
> installed.
>
>
> 160M/80M - 450m Beverage installed aimed at EUROPE (I suspect this antenna
> may be removed and will not be permanent).
>
>
>
>
> 80M - 4 element K1WA/K1THQ - sloping dipole array - This will be permanent
> I think
>
>
> 80M - 4 square array - This antenna also should also be permanent
>
>
> 80M - 5 element fixed yagi at 100 feet - aimed at Europe - (This antenna
> may not be permanent).- It was also installed primarily for the CQ WPX CW
> test.
>
>
>
>
> On TUES/WED/THURS nights before the contest I got on Topband using the 4
> el wire yagi and the 8 circle array for RX
> I had the beverage on THURS night only.  Both the 8 circle and the
> BEVERAGE were GREAT into EU.  Personally I thought the beverage had a
> slight edge - but both were very good on RX.
>
>
> On TUES night I worked about 65 EU and JA stations.
>
>
> On WED night I worked about 100 EU/JA and Asian stations.
>
>
> On Thurs night I worked about 120 EU/JA/Asian stations (including VK4MA
> and 4X4DK at my SR peak.)
>
>
> Tues night the call used was JT5DX - qsl via JT1CO. (The logs I think were
> actually on 9A5K's computer station log - FWIW.)
>
>
> WED night the call used was JT5LZ - qsl via K1LZ
>
>
> THURS night the call used was JT5LZ - qsl via K1LZ
>
>
> The overall station at JT5DX now sports an enormous amount of firepower on
> 40M - 10M.
>
>
> 6  40M yagis (including two sets of 3el full sized 40M stacks), LONG BOOM
> 7el stacks on 20 and 15M, two STEPP'IR's, & many additional smaller yagis
> for 15 and 10M.  I think around 35 yagis in all were installed from May 9th
> to May 25th by S52M and RN5M who worked his tail off to complete the task.
>
>
> GL to all next winter season.  Note that Chak does not live full time at
> the farm - but I know he is anxious to do some lowband work this coming
> Winter season using his new antenna arsenal!  I encouraged him to do so as
> best I could!
>
>
> 73 de JEFF    K1ZM/VY2ZM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Re: Topband: W5WMU/W1WMU SK

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

pat was a great friend to me also.
he bought ALL my antennas at a fair price when I needed to move. twice!
we REALLY 'passed a good time' when we did All Asia on a whim, a couple years 
ago, with N8OO.
I sure hope they have contests in heaven.
Au revoir, cher amia bientot, j'espere
w5xz, dan
 

On Friday, May 5, 2017 12:31 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:
 

 Pat, W5WMU, passed on April 6. I met him 
in 1985 when I moved to New Iberia, LA to 
start off as a new Chiropractor. I met Pat 
within weeks of that time and we became 
good friends who have been in contact 
monthly since then. 

He had the finest "shack" and antenna farm 
of any I have ever seen, anywhere and he 
loved Ham Radio and contesting to the end 
of his being. His 160M array was something 
I will never forget. Truly a wonderful 
friend and mentor.

73 OM W5WMU de KA1J SK

http://www.arrl.org/news/noted-contester-d
r-pat-sonnier-w5wmu-sk
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Re: Topband: Bouston TX 160

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

k5rk, and n5dg kick my butt regular-like from that part of the state.
ck in on on4kst chat
73, w5xz, dan, in Longview

 

On Monday, April 24, 2017 9:57 PM, Richard Beerman  wrote:
 

 Is there anyone active on Topband in Houston, TX who monitors this reflector? 
Just looking for someone locally who is interested in 160 Meters. Dick  W5AK
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Re: Topband: Phone segment for EU stations on 75 meters?

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

thanks Henk!
what are the ssb rules on 160m in Eu, pse? too bad no WAE on 160m..
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Thursday, September 8, 2016 8:58 AM, "kol...@rcn.com"  
wrote:
 

 
Is there really a "no contest" zone in the European rules on 75 meters? Or is 
this just by custom? 

What they really need is a "no crank and crackpot" zone, but I digress... 

73 Kevin K3OX 


- Original Message -

From: "Henk Remijn PA5KT"  
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2016 2:27:15 AM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Phone segment for EU stations on 75 meters? 

Doug, 

Phone is from 3600-3800. 

No contest beween 3650-3700. 

There will be station using the lower part of the band, but also the 
higher part. 

If you are allowed to transmit above 3800 you should do split, listening 
3625. 

73 Henk PA5KT 


Op 8-9-2016 om 02:11 schreef Douglas Ruz / CO8DM: 
> Hi, 
> 
> What is the Phone segment for EU stations on 75 meters? 
> 
> I am tunning my 75/80m antenna for WAE SSB... it is very narrow (100 Khz), 
> so, I want to know the most active segment during contest...Resonance (SWR 
> 1:1) on 3625 Khz now...Is it Ok or to low?...maybe can work split... 
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Doug, CO8DM 
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Re: Topband: Summer in the Northern Hemisphere

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

for me, the real merit of my HiZ 4sq is the ability to have some side 
rejection, in addition to f / b...makes it possible to look away from 
approaching storms, and hang a bit longer..
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Tuesday, February 9, 2016 2:40 PM, Mike Waters  
wrote:
 

 Take a look at this quote from
http://www.wondermondo.com/Best/World/ExtremeWeather.htm :

"Catatumbo Lightning - most persistent thunderstorm -- Venezuela, Zulia
The most persistent and most spectacular thunderstorm in the world is
Catatumbo Lightning. This is nearly continuous thunderstorm with up to
20,000 flashes of lightning per night, seen 140 - 160 nights per year and
lasting approximately 10 hours long. It produces approximately 10% of
tropospheric ozone in the world."

Aren't we glad that we live so far away from that awful place? :-)

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 2:23 PM, Milt  wrote:

> ... difficulty he had of hearing WEAK signals through the EQUATORIAL
> static belt,
>
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Re: Topband: VP8STI rumor

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

how about 3 cheers for the Braveheart's skipper, Nigel, for keeping team safety 
a priority?
73, w5xz, dan
 

On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 3:30 PM, Jim Brown 
 wrote:
 

 On Tue,1/26/2016 1:09 PM, Chortek, Robert L. wrote:
> Anyone know if they were able to go back and retrieve the equipment?
>

 From reading the post describing the potentially problematic ice flow, 
it could be days (or longer) before that could be attempted. And, I'd 
bet that everyone is super bushed by now. Hopefully seas are now calm so 
they can recover some energy.

Yes, we all need to dig deep to support these guys. I'm going to do that 
when I do the OQRS thing. I didn't make it on Topband, but I'm in the 
log for six bands, including QRP on 20CW.

73, Jim K9YC




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Re: Topband: RFI - and lots of it

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

WOW, keith!  that's plenty of 'excitement'..
thanks to all, for advice and recommendations.  my house was built in '94, but 
outside the city limits, where 'code' gets a little sloppythough still in 
an HOA / CCR subdivision...there is PLENTY of man-made crud to listen to, and 
I'd just like to get rid of as much as possible, at least on my property...
special thanks to K9YC for another comprehensive reference...
have we beaten this to death, Tree?
73, w5xz, dan
 


 On Friday, October 30, 2015 3:04 PM, Keith Jillings (G3OIT) 
 wrote:
   

 On 30/10/2015 19:49, Art Snapper wrote:

> At the risk of sounding redundant, be very careful when messing around with
> the bonding/grounding of the electrical panel.
> Over the years I have seen significant current on these circuits due to a
> wiring fault at the pole or on the drop to the house.

Indeed!  We used to own a cottage half way up a mountain in North 
Wales.  The incoming "earth" wire from the pole was at something like 
120 volts above ground (nominal voltage is 230).  We found out when my 
wife was cleaning the porch floor, standing outside the front door, and 
got a shock through the mop.

We thought we had a separate earth to a spike in the ground (we did, but 
it wasn't properly connected).  I poked that with an insulated 
screwdriver, there was a flash and a loud bang, and the house earth 
dropped to zero potential.  The lights in a house down the road went out.

Never did hear any more about that.


Keith

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Re: Topband: RFI - and lots of it

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

ok...another thing i've wondered about...
every bathroom and utility sink plus the kitchen have 120 vac outlet quite 
nearby..
should i tie the green a.c. wire to the plumbing at each?
w5xz

 


 On Thursday, October 29, 2015 5:36 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV 
<k2av@gmail.com> wrote:
   

 It would really be something if in-the-slab copper was floating
electrically. I have seen the copper connected with a heavy wire out of the
slab connected to the ground bus in the main electrical panel. The other
end of the wire came up out of the slab next to the bonding point with the
copper pipe in a weather protected spot.

If there is a question you should get a local licensed electrician who can
check it according to NEC + local practices. Local practices may specify
where and how the pipe is connected to the power ground.

You might want to check if an ohmmeter shows a dead short between the
spicket copper pipe and the power ground.

If it ain't connected, you need to get that fixed right away.

73, Guy K2AV

On Thursday, October 29, 2015, Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:

> On Thu,10/29/2015 2:45 PM, Dan Edward Dba East edwards wrote:
>
>> all my plumbing is copper, hot and cold water, in the slab.  and, i have
>> an outside water spigot just a few feet away from my service
>> entrance...should I tie it in too ??
>>
>
> NEC REQUIRES that it be tied in.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
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-- 
Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone
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Re: Topband: RFI - and lots of it

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

'central point' being my main service breaker box?
it's a good distance away from any plumbing...
 


 On Friday, October 30, 2015 12:28 PM, Jim Brown 
<j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
   

 No, that should be done at a central point in each premises, and only 
when the plumbing is metallic and conductive to the earth.

73, Jim

On Fri,10/30/2015 9:58 AM, Dan Edward Dba East edwards wrote:
> ok...another thing i've wondered about...
> every bathroom and utility sink plus the kitchen have 120 vac outlet quite 
> nearby..
> should i tie the green a.c. wire to the plumbing at each?
> w5xz
>
>  
>
>
>      On Thursday, October 29, 2015 5:36 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV 
><k2av@gmail.com> wrote:
>    
>
>  It would really be something if in-the-slab copper was floating
> electrically. I have seen the copper connected with a heavy wire out of the
> slab connected to the ground bus in the main electrical panel. The other
> end of the wire came up out of the slab next to the bonding point with the
> copper pipe in a weather protected spot.
>
> If there is a question you should get a local licensed electrician who can
> check it according to NEC + local practices. Local practices may specify
> where and how the pipe is connected to the power ground.
>
> You might want to check if an ohmmeter shows a dead short between the
> spicket copper pipe and the power ground.
>
> If it ain't connected, you need to get that fixed right away.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
> On Thursday, October 29, 2015, Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
>
>> On Thu,10/29/2015 2:45 PM, Dan Edward Dba East edwards wrote:
>>
>>> all my plumbing is copper, hot and cold water, in the slab.  and, i have
>>> an outside water spigot just a few feet away from my service
>>> entrance...should I tie it in too ??
>>>
>> NEC REQUIRES that it be tied in.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _
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>>
>

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Re: Topband: RFI - and lots of it

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I, for one, wonder how good my service entrance ground is...mine is probably 20 
years old, and while the top looks ok, there's no way to know what's going on 
down 4, 6 and 8 feet...my utlities are underground, if that means anything...
as a starting point, should a guy drive a new one? or 2 or 3, spaced some 
distance apart?
( gosh, top band sounds lousy this fall, for me, anyway...sigs are well down 
from normal strength..)
73, w5xz, dan
 


 On Thursday, October 29, 2015 8:17 AM, Matt Murphy  wrote:
   

 I'm in the process of setting up my station in a new QTH and plan to
install a station ground at the cable entrance.

Tom, is there a best practice for bonding to the mains ground? Any
approaches to avoid?

73,
Matt NQ6N

On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 7:07 AM, Tom W8JI  wrote:

> I have and electrician coming next week who says he will check things out
>> and first of all ground the breaker panel to two ground rods 7 feet apart.
>> I thought the grounding was put at the meter but he says they don't do that
>> anymore. I think the old meter, before we had the new one put in had a
>> ground rod beneath it but nothing now. The only ground I could find to the
>> panel is a skimpy wire going to a water line. All of which looks corroded
>> etc.. I know many dollars were spent on renovation and restoration of this
>> place but I'm afraid to much emphasis was placed on cosmetic and not enough
>> on electrical as I look more closely, pretty depressing. >
>>
>
> Jim,
>
> Just keep in mind when  you do the work, the quality of the house ground
> to earth is far less important than having everything entering the house
> being bonded to act like one common point.
>
> One of the biggest mistakes in amateur radio grounding over the decades
> has been having the shack antenna and control cable entrance ground
> non-existent, and the common shack desk equipment ground to an independent
> ground.
>
> The shack ground must be bonded to the mains ground so everything entering
> the house is as close to one potential as you can get it.
>
> Correcting things may not cure your RFI, but it always makes things much
> safer and more reliable.
>
> 73 Tom
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>
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Re: Topband: RFI - and lots of it

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

all my plumbing is copper, hot and cold water, in the slab.  and, i have an 
outside water spigot just a few feet away from my service entrance...should I 
tie it in too ??
just wondering, w5xz, dan
 


 On Thursday, October 29, 2015 1:39 PM, Tom W8JI  wrote:
   

 

>I have driven copper ground rods in about ten years ago, then wrapped a 
>couple turns of #4 wire around the top and soldered that to the rod using 
>plumbers solder. These connections are as good today as the day I soldered 
>them. Plumbers solder works very well outdoors for me. I use it on 
>everything outdoors now.
>
> Dave, W5UN

80 year old broadcast radial systems are still good with silver solder 
connections. My 318ft tower gets whacked all the time and has silver 
soldered connections. They never melt. Even RF radials that augment the 
lightning ground, which are plumbers solder #16, do not get hurt.

The main reason NEC and other codes don't like solder is they don't trust 
people to know how to solder.

Of course the heat is I^2 R  times the time. It isn't just current, it is 
joules.  If the solder connection is good with low resistance, it will not 
get hot.

Also, there is no possible way a rod system could stay anywhere near zero 
volts in a strike. Almost all of the protection to equipment and the house 
itself is by the common point connection of things entering the house 
outside the house.

We certainly need the rods, but most of the protection comes from bonding of 
all things entering the dwelling. Very little of the protection inside the 
dwelling actually comes from the rods.

With a tower or tall structure likely to be hit, the structure ground can be 
a major player. That ground keeps strikes from raising the base voltage so 
much, and reduces common mode into the house grounds. It takes a pretty big 
ground system to not elevate in voltage in hits. A couple rods will not do 
it, even if they ohm just a few ohms at low frequencies.

73 Tom 

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Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I sure remember hearing JA7NI pounding thru on 1909..

73, w5xz



On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 3:52 AM, Petr Ourednik indi...@xsmail.com wrote:
 


Hi all,

the split JA operation schema for decades ago was:
JA TX  1907.5 - 1912.5kHz and listen for rest or worls in between 1820
- 1825kHz.
This JA window 1907.5 - 1912.5kHz has been not used in contests from
1999 by JARL 
because the band was too narrow. The SSB was not permitted. 
I worked several JA topbanders over there split down to 1820 - 1825kHz.

According to the Ministry's announcement, effective April 1st 2000,
additional 15kHz, i.e. from 1810 kHz to 1825 kHz, has been allocated for
amateur radio use. The announcement was available in the
Japanese language at
http://www.mpt.go.jp/top/public-comment/public-comment000207.html
but it does not work I guess.

You might be interested in JA band plans which is available here.
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/6_Band_Plan/JapaneseAmateurBandplans20090330.pdf
Some additional notes to the figure:
NB Phone = SSB, AM
NB Image = SSTV
NB Data = RTTY, PSK31, JT modes etc
(but no RTTY on 2200 and 160m)
WB Phone = FM
WB Data = Packet
(tnx to Rin, JG1VGX)

Regarding the DX window down on TB I am trying simply not calling CQ in
between 1825 - 1835kHz
from EU. In fact my CQ is even not so effective from my fixed QTH as my
receiving performance is not 
the best so I would not like to bother on the band when I am not able to
hear weak sigs coming back.
In general calling CQ with just few sec of hearing to repeat CQ again is
terrible technique which is not
applicable on TB I guess. When I am calling CQ I am trying to listenning
with switching between all of
my RX antennas combination to ensure that nobody is calling me... so in
my case I need to listenning
between each CQ at least 30-45sec I guess.

Also there are bad spots (forbidden QRG) on TB which should be avoided
for CQ.
1820 is often jammed by radar from China in JA
1818 strong QRM from local GPS correction on 1818 in ZL

To keep the Gentlemen band (better to say  give it back to the old ages
Gentlemen shape) we should
strictly observing basic gentlemen agreement...

My 2c...

73 - Petr, OK1RP
http://160mband.blogspot.com  





  




On Mon, Dec 1, 2014, at 09:28 PM, JC wrote:
 Mike  
 
 The DX Windows dated few  decades ago,  from the time US stations used to
 transmit  1800 to 1810 and listening in the DX windows 1825 to 1830 , all
 because the band was packed with LORAN signals, to work JA the DX window
 was
 1907 to 1913. I may be wrong with some frequencies, Call CQ and tuning
 was
 actually try to find someone calling you back somewhere in the band.
 
 The original Idea is the DX (not US)  to call between 1830 and 1835 but
 QSX
 down or up to RX. 
 
 What is not part of the Gentlemen band is calling CQ and listen 3 seconds
 and call again and listen 3 seconds, .. There is no way to copy or to
 work
 any DX, just  calling like a cw machine gun to hold the frequency . This
 kind of operational practice very common just keep the frequency busy
 with
 no QSO's and at a very low QSO rate. It is very common to hear and most
 of
 the time work DX station below those alligator's contest stations parked
 in
 the DX window.
 
 QRM the QRM'ers does not make it right as well, as we elected to be part
 of
 the Gentlemen band we should demonstrate it by example and some talk
 during
 eye ball QSO's.
 
 73's
 N4IS
 
 -Original Message-
 From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Mike
 Waters
 Sent: Monday, December 01, 2014 10:27 AM
 To: topband
 Subject: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
 
 The ARRL 160 meter contest is this weekend. I know there has been a lot
 of
 controversy in the past about the 1830 to 1835 segment (the so-called DX
 Window).
 
 I understand that if I am in the USA, the right thing to do is to NOT
 park
 in that window and call CQ (but I can answer a CQ from a DX station on
 another continent or island). The rule at http://www.arrl.org/160-meter
 simply states *6.1. *The segment 1.830 to 1.835 should be used for
 intercontinental QSOs only.
 
 Maybe some of the more experienced Topbands could clarify this.
 
 73, Mike
 www.w0btu.com
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Re: Topband: New RF interference killing RX at my QTH

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I also have an issue with noise on top band.  In my case, it's crud from a 
local AM BCB, KEES 1430.  Took forever to figure it out, but when it starts, I 
put my 160m top band receiver in AM mode and can hear faint
modulation.  With my HiZ 4square, ( you know, the one that's not supposed to 
work since the 4 verticals are on opposite sides of my house? )  I can clearly 
tell it comes from the SW direction, and it only appears when
KEES goes QRO at sunrise.  Switch to NW, it goes away; ditto NE, SE..and, of 
course, I NEED to look SW
at s/r for skew path new ones !!!

By looking at the panadapter on my flex 6500, I can see KEES; they're not even 
THAT strong, (around -40 dbm) but the crud is definitely there, only down about 
30 db from the main signal.  It takes multiple phone calls, emails, mean 
facebook posts, and text messages to KEES and the FCC to get anything done 
about it.  Same thing happened couple years ago...

73  good luck, W5XZ, dan, Longview, Texas




On Saturday, November 8, 2014 4:33 PM, Agelos-SV3RF via Topband 
topband@contesting.com wrote:
 


ps...It seems no links allowed.
Anyway I found the radio under 3 different brand names.
FUJION F-2000A,
ROYAL GUIDE RG-705, and,
AQUAGUIDE-705.
This belongs to my previus post.
73' s de SV3RF Agelos





From: Goldtr8 (KD8NNU) gold...@charter.net
To: topband topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Saturday, November 8, 2014 7:33 PM
Subject: Topband: New RF interference killing RX at my QTH


Dear Topband Group,

I need to make a noise finding antenna that I can take in my vehicle to look 
for a source of noise on 160m and 80m bands.  My google searches have not 
yielded much information on something I can use on these bands or what I found 
was not clear to me on how to make one.  My plan would be to make something and 
then use my mobile setup to drive and try to find the source.  

Please any recommendations will be highly welcome.  

What I do believe is that its something that gets turned on in the night hours 
as its not there during the day and there are times at night when it goes away.

Thank in advance for your help.

Cheers
Don


~73
Don
KD8NNU
2014 3905CC Top Gun :-)
-.- -.. ---.. -. -. ..-
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Re: Topband: Skimmer calibration

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

the gw8izr skimmer seems pretty good to me...dr1a also...both, better than 
average, IMHO
 a belgian one also ( can't remember the call..) couple in JA also..

73, w5xz, dan




On Tuesday, August 19, 2014 4:33 AM, Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com wrote:
 


When I last investigated, all the skimmers and Web SDRs that were outside
of North America all had terrible receive antennas for copying DX signals
on 160. (And who knows how many of them are in quiet locations?)

When I say terrible, I mean small magnetic loops, very short whips, low
dipoles, a random end-fed wire, etc. No phased arrays or Beverages, and not
even a Flag, K9AY, EWE, etc.

Does anyone know if that is still the case?

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Re: Topband: anybody in Eu using JT-9 or JT-65

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

alexey

yes, i understand the thinking, re JT-9 / JT-65; best QSO you never heard as 
W4ZV said...
 and, 'if i did not hear it with my ears, it does not exist, I can not work it, 
it doesn't count' also..

still, ARRL DXCC desk doesn't care what mode we use, right?  sowhat the 
heck?

as jim, K9YC pointed out, directional receiving antennas, 'reasonably 
efficient' transmit antennas,
 and receivers, transmitters,  amplifiers are still necessary...I am just 
adding K1JT's impressive
 software to the toolbox.

I'm just trying to work something on what sounds like a dead band.  Today, it 
was impressive.
 20 mins past sunrise, i was still de-coding vk3xq ( and he heard me ), and the 
band sounded
 'dead'I rarely work any dx 5 minutes after sunrise on top band, from this 
QTH..

reception in suburban locations is challenging.  Are multi-acre, deep rural 
locations a requirement for
 peer approval when chasing dx on top band?  I hope not.

To be sure, when signals become readable again, I will be back on cw...

73, w5xz, dan



On Tuesday, August 12, 2014 10:01 AM, ALEXEY OGORODOV ua4...@mail.ru wrote:
 



Hello brethren,

I´m ready to be crucified yet I couldn´t resist asking a question:
What's the value of JT modes qso for a dxer?
IMHO Digimodes undermine the value of low band dxing. I don't arfue over 
reliability of the modes and their help in extension of hamradio capabilities 
in general yet JT and such do not require much from the operator.

With all due respect,

Alex


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Topband: anybody in Eu using JT-9 or JT-65

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

greetings

to pass the time through the summer doldrums, I've been playing with weak
 signal digi-modes.  Near sunrise, am having fair luck to VK, w jt-65...
 VK3XQ comes through almost every day..

but, at Eu sunrise, my cq's go un-answered, even with kw power.  Is the band
 really THAT bad to Eu, still?

from a noisy suburban location, WSJT-x seems to help...

73, W5XZ, Dan
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Re: Topband: VK3ZL SK today

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I too will surely miss bobby;  we had a lot of fun making contacts almost all 
summer long, for several
 seasons.  He nearly always heard my 'wet string' short tx marconi. His 
expertise with GS35b's was well  established,  and he shared freely all 
relevant technical advice.

RIP VK3ZLW5XZ, dan



On Tuesday, July 8, 2014 8:21 AM, W2PM via Topband topband@contesting.com 
wrote:
 


RIP And 73 Bob.  Some of the best qsos on 160. Copied his top hat design.  Gone 
but not forgotten. 

Sent from my iPhone

 On Jul 8, 2014, at 1:15 PM, dl8yhrfrank--- via Topband 
 topband@contesting.com wrote:
 
 RIP BOB
 Best wishesyou was a great operator...
 vy 73
 Frank
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -Ursprüngliche Mitteilung- 
 Von: Eduardo Araujo via Topband lt;topband@contesting.comgt;
 An: Topband List lt;topband@contesting.comgt;
 Verschickt: Di, 8 Jul 2014 5:44 am
 Betreff: Re: Topband: VK3ZL SK today
 
 
 
 
 Very sad news indeed. 
 
 We will miss you Bob. Rest In Peace 
 
 Eddie, LU2DKT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -Mensaje original- 
 De: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] En nombre de LB3RE LJ3RE 
 Stein-Roar Brobakken 
 Enviado el: lunes, 07 de julio de 2014 11:12 p.m. 
 Para: David Raymond 
 CC: topband@contesting.com; SidShusterman; robert briggs; Jean Briggs; 
 K3JJG; t...@kkn.net; Bob Garrett; Bernie McClenny, W3UR 
 Asunto: Re: Topband: VK3ZL SK today 
 
 Sad to hear this.He was always on the topband and made it clear that the 
 band was open, he will be missed. 73s SK    
 
 ---Sent by iphoneLB3RE LJ3RE K3RAG ex: LA6FJAwww.lb3re.com ~ Rag ~ Stein 
 Roar Brobakken 
 e-mail:post@lb3re.comhttp://la5o.wordpress.comwww.contesting.no 
 
 Bob was truly a remarkable person.  Not only did his homebrew skills far 
 surpass the vast majority of us but he also put out a remarkable signal with 
 a modest station.  A lot of topbanders may be unaware that Bob's signal came 
 from a homebrew 42' vertical (yes, forty two foot) .  Capped off with a 
 hefty top hat and a very good ground radial system, he was able to work the 
 world daily.  He and I had other shared interests and enjoyed exchanging 
 emails.  I will surely miss his friendship and his signal on 1824.5 on those 
 cold, winter morns. 
 
 
 
 73 Bob. . .rest in peace OM. 
 
 
 
 Dave, W0FLS 
 
   - Original Message -  
   From: SidShusterman  
   To: topband@contesting.com ; Jean Briggs ; robert briggs ; Bernie 
 McClenny, W3UR ; Bob Garrett ; K3JJG ; David Raymond ; t...@kkn.net  
   Sent: Monday, July 07, 2014 6:23 PM 
 
   Subject: VK3ZL SK today 
 
 
 
 
 
   I received an email from Jeannie this afternoon. Bob succumbed to the 
 effects of bladder cancer today. Bob was  many things. He was one heck of a 
 builder.  His amplifiers won the SERG homebrew competition so many times 
 that they finally gave him a lifetime achievement award.  He was a fixture 
 on TopBand and gave many their first VK QSO. He was also a beacon until 
 recently.  If there was any propagation at all Bob was there to work it. 
 
   Over the years Bob and I and I am sure some others developed a 
 relationship that transcended ham radio. I found that Bob was a fire 
 communications officer who provided essential communications and control for 
 the intense fires that happen in that part of Australia amongst other 
 interests. 
 
   Above all Bob was our friend.  
   Bob told Jeannie his wife  he wanted the following on his grave marker: 
 
   Robert William Briggs.. 
 
   ..loving husband of Jeannie.. 
 
   ..17 Oct 1942 ---7 July 2014.. 
 
   ...vk3zl   s k.. 
 
   and that is what she will do.  
   Jeannie can receive your emails at both her email address: Jean Briggs 
 lt;jab...@bigpond.comgt; 
 
   and also she is keeping Bob's account open: vk...@bigpond.com 
 
   Sid K3SX 
 
 
 
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Re: Topband: PHASING SHUNT FED TOWERS

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

I miss Earl too...he always told me I was loud...HE was always loud, and 
usually working somebody i couldn't hear...he also did some great work with 
Flags, early on...
73, w5xz, dan

--- On Fri, 5/31/13, Carl k...@jeremy.mv.com wrote:

From: Carl k...@jeremy.mv.com
Subject: Re: Topband: PHASING SHUNT FED TOWERS
To: Jon Zaimes AA1K j...@verizon.net, 160 topband@contesting.com
Date: Friday, May 31, 2013, 12:04 PM


- Original Message - From: Jon Zaimes AA1K j...@verizon.net
To: 160 topband@contesting.com
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 4:31 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: PHASING SHUNT FED TOWERS


 
 On 5/31/2013 12:43 AM, Tree wrote:
 
 K6SE was the first guy I saw doing this - with much shorter towers than
 mine.
 
 
 Somewhere in my files I have a copy of a four-page letter Earl sent to K2UU 
 describing in detail the K6SE phased towers -- one of the few multielement 
 transmit arrays in use on the band in those days (1970s-80s).
 
 If I recall correctly, they were HDBX style 64-foot self-supporting towers 
 spaced about 80 feet. One had a large tribander on it, and the other a 
 2-element shortened 40-meter yagi. Earl described how he raised and lowered 
 the 40-m. beam on its mast till that tower resonated at the same spot as the 
 other one. He used identical shunts and a coax delay line to achieve the 
 correct phasing. His letter included a formula for calculating this delay 
 line based on the distance between the towers.
 
 This played quite well. We chatted many a night and Earl would flip the 
 switch and I'd see 25 db f/b or so.
 
 73/Jon AA1K
 Delaware


I sure miss Earl. One fine gentleman that wasnt afraid to share details of any 
of his designs and answer questions with even more details.

Carl
KM1H 
All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night.
_
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All good topband ops know how to put up a beverage at night.
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Re: Topband: ZS4PB -SK

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

very sad... dump it in...  he used to say, when he knew there was a pileup 
for him.. he was almost always real loud...and quickly drew a crowd...told me 
once he enjoyed listening to 'The Louisiana Hayride' on the AM BCB many years 
ago...
please advise the family Pieter will be missed around the world...73, w5xz, dan

--- On Thu, 11/8/12, Bernie van der Walt ber...@internext.co.za wrote:

From: Bernie van der Walt ber...@internext.co.za
Subject: Topband: ZS4PB -SK
To: topband@contesting.com
Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 7:28 AM

Sad news.

Pieter Botha [86] passed away last night 7 Nov 2012 at 18Z

ZS4PB, widely known as The African Cowboy, was one of Africa's best known
DXer's in the last 60 years. 

His health deteriorated rapidly in the last few months and he and his family
moved to a care centre in Stella, north of Vryburg just two weeks ago.

He spent a lot of his radio time on topband so I think it is appropriate to
mention his passing here where some of his old friends may still reside.

He will be missed.

I will attend his funeral on Saturday at 09Z on the farm.  I will relay all
messages from his ham radio friends to his wife and children.

Regards

Bernie, ZS4TX

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Topband: Fw: W5DC, SK...

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

--- On Thu, 6/7/12, dan edwards w...@att.net wrote:

From: dan edwards w...@att.net
Subject: W5DC, SK...
To: dan.n.edwa...@sbcglobal.net
Date: Thursday, June 7, 2012, 3:28 PM

W5DC, Duncan Carter. SK 6 / 6 / 12
 He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from L.S.U and
  also studied at MIT and S.M.U. He received several patents  on antenna design 
and was self employed in the Mechanical  and Electrical Engineering fields 
since 1972. He founded  Vibrotek Vibration Technologies which partnered with  
VibroAcoustical Systems and Technologies, Inc in Russia. He  also worked for 
Collins, and Hy-Gain.

First time i heard Duncan I was in Optometry School, in Forest Grove, Oregon, 
on 75m SSB.  He was ridiculously loud and working JA's. around 1976, or so.  I 
had no idea we would later meet.  I also did not know he was using a pre-cursor 
to the now popular 4 square.  His version was a parasitic array, with 2 
driven elements and 2 reflectors; spacing
 was equal at 0.2 wavelengths, and the array was 4 verticals, in a square.  it 
minimizes the ground losses... he used to say. 4 1/4 wave feedlines, tied in 
parallel at the center, and relays at the elements to select a loading coil 
and short a
 feedline, or select a feedline as a driven element.

Later, when i moved to Baton Rouge in 1979, we met.  He liked the low bands and 
 liked cw dx contesting, so we hit it off immediately.  Duncan had a pre-cursor 
to the 'Waller Flag' at that time, for 160m.  He used a rotary pair of small, 
resonant shielded loops, and introduced me to what is now called 'cross-fire' 
phasing. Mounted near ground level,
 the 2 loops were on a pvc boom, which was rotated with a Ham-M.  He said 
it had a pattern like a 3 element yagi.on 160m !!!

Duncan was a master at locating huge rolls of low loss feedline, and sharing...

Even though Duncan was a 'quad guy', he encouraged me to explore the 
then-new W2PV designs.  I still contend Lawson's 4 element, 3/4 wave boom 
designs produce the most db's for the least dollars.  Duncan warned me about 
gamma matching:  it is very easy to match the losses, if you're not 
careful...so I stuck with split driven elements, and hairpin matches;  the 4 / 
4 stacks on 20 thru 10m were
 a real treat, back when I had 3 acres out in the country as a 
bachelor.Duncan was kind enough to loan me his General Radio 1606a rf 
impedance bridge to help understand the impact of guy wires on rotary, 
side-mounted yagis.  Soon
 thereafter I was ordering Phillystran...at least for the top half or so of my 
tower guys..

I know Duncan was instrumental in getting Bob Taylor, WB5LBT (SK),
 successful  results with a moonbounce array of quads on 2 meters.  Bob was, i 
think, a 'rock star'  on the moon, from his suburban lot in Baton Rouge.  
Duncan had magic fingers  with long boom 2 meter quadsand we all knew it... 

I also know Duncan was instrumental in developing some long boom HF quads 
for Cajun Iron Man, Emeritus W5WMU.  Perhaps Dr. Sonnier can elaborate on 
this..


Later, we both left La. but stayed in touch intermittently.  In his later years 
he became a k-3 guy, ultimately assembling an entire ' K-Line '... When I 
told him about LoTW, he was overjoyed. the curse of the dx contester has been 
lifted !!!  (paper QSL's) Never mind that I still haven't set mine up yet. He 
owned a microphone but
 heavily preferred CW...I'm sure he could send and copy 35 wpm in his sleep...

Duncan was a faithful spouse and father to
 his family.  He was generous with his time and resources.  We will surely miss 
him dearly.  If I make it, I hope to see him upstairs one day...      73 Dunc 
W5DC de W5XZ   sk
 pay attention to the losses he always said...
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: 9M0L

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

wow, the op on 160m is doing a  GREAT  job... not sending too 
fast...listening carefully...not quitting...looking for stateside at the right 
time...

pretty good signal this a.m. in north east texas on a noisy 1/2 acre sububan 
lot..

73, w5xz, dan
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Phased Vertical Dipoles

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

rich

 while it was not a driven array, we tried a parasitic one. we had 3 1/2 wave 
slopers up at w5wmu...the guy wires on the 200' tower were NOT broken up, 
though, so, i hung the dipoles 1/2 way between the guys..cut the feedlines like 
the old K1THQ 5 sloper system from yesteryear..worked fair...directivity 
pretty 'ho hum'.. seemed fair on Txlike Victor N8OO / UH8EA said... is not 
4 square... hi

we're down to a single sloper now, though, on europe...the 5/5/5/5 for 20m 
got priority...

FWIW, 73, w5xz, dan

--- On Mon, 10/10/11, Rich Chatelain rich_k...@gphilltop.com wrote:

From: Rich Chatelain rich_k...@gphilltop.com
Subject: Topband: Phased Vertical Dipoles
To: topband@contesting.com
Date: Monday, October 10, 2011, 11:05 AM

Hello All,

 

I am working on improving my TB ability this season. I have installed 2
sloping ½ wave dipoles. Is there anyone on this reflector that is using the
Comtek ABC-4 with a phased pair of antennas that I might take advantage of
there experience and ask them some pointed questions?

 

Rich K7ZV

 

rich_k...@gphilltop.com

 mailto:rich_k...@gphilltop.com  

 

 

 

 

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Fw: RE: ja7qvi de w5xz

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

Tac San in a lowband diehard, like a lot of us. just got this today. glad to 
knowhe is ok..
73, w5xz, dan

--- On Mon, 5/2/11, dan edwards w...@att.net wrote:

From: dan edwards w...@att.net
Subject: Fw: RE: ja7qvi de w5xz
To: dan.n.edwa...@sbcglobal.net
Date: Monday, May 2, 2011, 9:22 AM



--- On Mon, 5/2/11, TAC ja7qvi ja7...@coffee.ocn.ne.jp wrote:

From: TAC ja7qvi ja7...@coffee.ocn.ne.jp
Subject: RE: ja7qvi de w5xz
To: 'dan edwards' w...@att.net
Date: Monday, May 2, 2011, 2:03 AM

Hello Dan W5XZ  At last the Internet was connected today.And I read the email 
that had a gentle you.Thank you for worrying.It was attacked on March 11 by a 
major earthquake and a tsunami.Awful rolling continued for a long time, and a 
massive tsunami hit it afterwards.There was the forecast news of the tsunami 
invasion after an earthquake, and I escaped into a refuge, and the family was 
safe.My house was around 1 mile away from the shore.I did not possibly expect 
that a tsunami attacked my home.My house and all the car and the radio 
facilities lost it, too.Many
 acquaintances, a friend died.My family is happy safely now.For around two 
weeks, I was in the refuge, but move to the parents' house now.I will be back 
for radio again.It will revive within one year.In addition, let's meet you.I 
look forward to that the day comes.  73 Tac JA7QVI    From: dan edwards 
[mailto:w...@att.net] 
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 10:10 AM
To: ja7...@jarl.com
Subject: ja7qvi de w5xz  Tac-san  i am praying you and your family are ok  
big 73 from texas, w5xz, dan  
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: K4IQJ is ok in Alabama..

[Dan Edward Dba East edwards]

Dick dodged the bullet by being on vacation down at the gulf coast, when allthe 
tornadoes blasted throuigh Alabama recently.
Dick is another top band die hard, who is on almost every morning...
73, w5xz, dan 
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK