Re: Topband: Why is ZONE 2 so Rare in JAPAN???

HI Gary Zone 2 is rare over in JA for a number of reasons.  These are: 1) The first is that there are only a handful of licensed/active amateurs in ZONE 2 2) Of those that are on the air - very few of them have even as much as a 64 ft tower 3) Of the remaining number - there is very little

Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

08 Nov 2019 Hi Gang Jeff and I just got back from a one week "mini dx'pedition" to ZONE 2.  Three ferries and about a 2400km roundtrip drive to 50.112 North from PEI was made with the express purpose of giving ZONE 2 to our JA 160m friends. Prior to our trip, only one single JA station had

Topband: Visit from N7DD

Earlier this week Miriam (VY2NA/N1QV) and I had the pleasure of having a visit from Larry pace N7DD and Patti.  It was great fun chatting about contesting and Dx'ing on 160m for the better part of an afternoon and evening. We did have some time to listen on 160m around VY2 sunset and Larry got

Topband: 160m Season Has Begun Here

Hi There Two days ago I hooked up the 160m antenna and can report that the season is off to a start - at least here it is. Two pages of Eu stations on CW, 5T5 on FT8 - and OJ0O last night also on CW - RST 599 on 1824. For some reason the LA's and SM's and OH's are the best signals at this time

Re: Topband: Review of the last 1000 spots on 160m

Whoa! That matrix of Clublog contacts made by mode really does make it pretty clear to me. Probably the best thing we can all do to deal with this is to get on CW and SSB as often as we may desire to - to keep the traditional modes alive in the traditional band segments. Tks Wes for adding to

Re: Topband: 160

Hi Again Folks Been reading all the mail and WOW - I did not mean for this debate to take over the 160m reflector again. But I CAN ADD something to this discussion.  So I will YES - THERE IS FOR SURE AN AUTOMATED CAPABILITY ON FT8 - There may be more software versions out there that do

Topband: Summer Update & a Surprise

Hi Gang It is mid summer here and E season on 6M has been fun to play with while 160m is pretty S L O W as it usually is. On these pages there has been alot of chatter regarding FT8 - (which basically took over 6M DX'ing starting in July 2917 - all DX is now on 50.313 FT8 - which is why I had

Topband: Fwd: V84SAA QSL- some additional thoughts...

From: k...@aol.com To: daraym...@iowatelecom.net Sent: 2019-04-18 8:05:23 AM Coordinated Universal Time Subject: Re: Topband: V84SAA QSL- some additional thoughts... Hi DAVE and 160m friends. I happened to see this email this morning and I thought I might like to comment. As far as I know -

Topband: Fwd: [The Daily DX] V84SAA Final Report

This appeared today in the DAILY DX courtesy of Bernie W3UR. 73 JEFF  K1ZM/VY2ZM Jeff BriggsDXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available worldwide through BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Radio Society of Great Britain, & Amazon -Original Message-

Topband: V84SAA - Part IV - Some Rx Analysis and Final Report

Hi Gang This will probably be the last from me because there is not too much more to add to the mix - but I would like to comment on the progression of our RX antennas - and some theories why we could not hear well at our SR into the NA east coast via LP after 10 February. In order to do this,

Topband: V84SAA - Part III - The Role of the BDARA and V85TL/V85T

The Role of the BDARA and V85T in particular Any Dx'pedition requires comprehensive planning and while this can be done from afar (not easily!) having "boots on the ground' in country facilitates the process dramatically. In our case, V85T and the role of the Brunei Darussalem Amateur Radio Assn

Topband: The V84SAA story - Part II- The 160m stiation - Early Results

V84SAA - Part II - The 160m station and antennas - Early Results K1LZ and I discussed the plans for the 160m xmit antenna at V85 and we decided in the end NOT to attempt some directivity - in part because of our experiences at 9M0W the prior year.  At 9M0W we erected two beautiful phased

Topband: The V84SAA Expedition - Part I Prologue

Gm Gang I am going to post a series of notes about our recently completed V84SAA Dx'pedition as some have asked me to do so.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ THESE STORIES PLS HIT THE DELETE KEY!!  Thanks! How it all began? You may recall that our team activated 9M0W last March and soon thereafter

Topband: V84SAA Final Report as of 2300z 16 Feb 2019

 GA All Teardown has been achieved and we will have a group dinner to celebrate tonight at 7:30PM First - thanks  to everyone for looking out for us and trying to work us on Topband.  We had a great time trying to hear and work you and I hope you had fun chasing us. I know we did not work all

Topband: V84SAA 16 Feb 0100z -- A bit of chaos but some success also.....

Hi Guys A quick report on things here: 1) At our SS - there was a short opening to NA from 1035-1048z or so and we worked K9CT/K2FF/NA5NN/K9UWA/N4CC and a few others - 7-8 total I think.  Later around 100 more EU stations. 2) The plans for our SR at 2145z on 160m were altered (unbeknownst to me)

Topband: V84SAA SR report 15 Feb - ANd final schedules of operation

Yesterday it looks like 203 additional qso's were made on Topband.  Condx were good to NA from 1025z - 1100z - but rather poor later into EU. We did manage to work 33 qso's into NA during the SS opening - after 1100z signals drop rapidly though (like a rock) - so it is best to be there BEFORE we

Topband: V84SAA 160m Report 14 Feb 2019 0430z

Hi Gang Last night we got out to the beach CW site an hour or so before SS.  We tried hard for the east coast, but I believe all that we worked were stations West of the Mississippi river. Some high points were these: 1) We picked up 25 more NA stations during our SS opening  2) Interesting

Topband: V8 Topband Report our SS 12 FEB and SR 13 Feb

Hi All Last nite I had a family matter to take care of and could not be at the SS opening our time - your SR time. Adi covered for me later assisted by JT1CO. A quick check shows that Adi worked 31 NA stations during that opening last night - and a few of them were interesting catches - eg:

Topband: V84SAA Status report 11 Feb at about 0211Z

Hi All I need some sleep badly but there is good news to report. We are almost at 3,000 qso's already on 160m - and they keep on coming - most are from JA and Eu - the Eu signals were so loud last night that Krassy ran 300 of them on 160m in about 3 hours. First our SS - this is still a bit of a

Topband: 10 Feb SS REPORT V84SAA

Little to report to  the NA East Coast at our SS time - worked only N4IS - I think I heard other vy weak stations calling but could not put together any calls the signals were so weak. Will be on for the SR opening to the East Coast starting 2145z or so - either 1805.5 or perhaps 1826.5 this

Topband: V84SAA 10 Feb SR Report 80m and 160m

 Hi ALl Just got back from the CW site. I worked W1NA via LP at about 2237z on 1805.5  qsx 1808.5   I do this set of frequencies to try to focus on NA at both SR and SS - as it helps keep a bit of order out of ASIA and EU.  Still some do CALL outside their allowed band segments.  This was my

Topband: V84SAA report 1530z 09 Feb

Hi Gang I am off to bed but a quick update on the lowbands out here. On 80m at our SS we had some good luck.  K1LZ worked KV4FZ, FM5BH K8MFO some W0's W3LPL, W3UR and quite a few others. This was as the sun setting out over the ocean. On 160m where I was - it was really tough - but managed to

Topband: V84SAA will be on 1805.2 qsx 1808.2 starting 2145z - a bit earlier on 3505 or so GL

Worked CX6VM this Am on 160m - so NA is possible on 160m maybe easier on 80m cw via LP. 73 JEFF Jeff BriggsDXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available worldwide through BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Radio Society of Great Britain, & Amazon _

Topband: JW5E/Svalbard Experience and CQ 160m contest comments

Hi There Miriam and I just returned home to Cape Cod and are re-packing for our trip out to V84SAA on Tuesday. I thought I might pen a few lines about what it was like to visit Svalbard for the past 6 days - and to operate at JW5E. First - perhaps I did not enough homework about the place -  but

Topband: CT1ILT request

Hi Guys Thanks for the suggestion Filipe - YES - I am aware of the issues with CT and even G/GM from out your way. The good news is that EU signals are at least 10db louder coming our way - which may help us to hear some of you guys as our SR nears. I will make a note to try to focus on this

Topband: V84SAA notes and suggestions - pls take a look - it may help u to work us on 160m!

Hi Gang Our team is getting ready for V84SAA and we just posted some operating notes for Topband on our website which is now live. In addition to what is there, please take a look at the tips below which may HELP U WORK US! From 9M0W - I personally learned this is one of the most gawd-awful

Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters

Joel Quite a few 160m friends have sent emails to Sharon Tarantula - and she has replied to each of us - saying the matter will be investigated. Thanks for your support of this matter. 73 JEFF In a message dated 11/19/2018 11:24:08 PM Coordinated Universal Time, w...@w5zn.org writes: I haven't

Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!

with ARRL officials including the DXCC desk for several years, and ARRL just don’t care! This is a sad growing problem. Regards JC N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband On Behalf Of k1zm--- via Topband Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2018 5:48 AM To: lennart.michaels...@telia.com; topband@contes

Re: Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!

writes: Good idea Jeff! Thanks Peter for digging in this mudd! 73 Len/BIC -Ursprungligt meddelande- Från: Topband För k1zm--- via Topband Skickat: den 17 november 2018 11:43 Till: topband@contesting.com Ämne: Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!! From: k

Topband: Fwd: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!!

From: k...@aol.com To: sm2...@telia.com Cc: d...@arrl.org Sent: 11/17/2018 10:33:41 AM Coordinated Universal Time Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters OK1YQ (OK1RD) Legitimacy???!!! Hmmm again Okay - now I remember this guy and his shenanigans from way back.  OK1RD (now masquerading

Re: Topband: ARRL DXCC - 160 Meters

hm Why would anyone with a LEGITIMATE 339 DXCC entities made on 160m made as licensed station OK1RD submit a DXCC total as CALLSIGN OK1YQ? That's kind of wacky.isn't it?  If it is legit - then congrats! 73 JEFF   K1ZM In a message dated 11/17/2018 12:33:17 AM Coordinated Universal Time,

Topband: 160m Condx - More ...A Closer Look....

Hi All Thanks for all the observations as to how things look at your specific locations.  It has made fascinating reading during what has been a slow period - relatively speaking. As we all know, 160m defies simplistic analysis - and even after some 40 years on the band, I NEVER know exactly

Topband: 160m Condx

Band still down a bit from last week but 4k6fo good sigs now on 1830.0 from Alim. 73 JEFF _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: TEST

TEST _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: VE1ZZ Local Obituary

Hi Gang   One more item to add about Jack   A local friend VY2GF sent me his obituary link this morning.  Here it is if anyone wants to take a look.   73 JEFF   VY2ZM  

Topband: VE1ZZ has passed on - Very Very Sad news! (Long)

Hello Gang I am truly saddened to have to pass along the contents of an email I just received from Carl Leahy who was one of Jack Leahy, VE1ZZ's sons. It is short and sweet - but I will add some personal comments after sharing his note to me. += Carl

Topband: Some Early Topband Comments...What happened to DX Activity?

GM All   It has been asked this week why there seems to be little activity on 160m so far this Fall season.  Actually, there is PLENTY of DX activity on Topband so far - but much of it has migrated to 1840 and is on FT8.   Last Spring, when 7Q7EI was active, I made a post commenting on FT8. 

Topband: Fwd: Princess Elettra Marconi - YouTube video #2 from Art Donahue W1AWX

hi Bill and Topbanders You all might enjoy seeing this video. Hope the link comes through. 73 JEFF K1ZM/VY2ZM The site where this happened is 10 mins up the road from me here on Cape Cod. Pretty neat video I thought Jeff Briggs DXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available

Re: Topband: Straws in the wind, continued or, "Where's the DX?" (Epilogue)

Thanks Ed.   Yes, it is clear that you "GET IT" - meaning the original point of my message - so many others seemingly did NOT - HI.  But that's okay because it created a lot of interest and discussion on this topic - so in the end - it was useful I think.   It will be interesting to see what

Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Hello Gang  I am probably not the only one who has been paying attention lately, but I may be the first to comment directly on what has been taking place right before our eyes the past two nights on 1.836kHz - and its possible implications going forward for future Dx'ing on 160m. Pls read on.  

Topband: Layang Layang 160m Epilogue

Here are a few random thoughts and suggestions for anyone else who tries to do this: 1) If you are a HOUND chasing the FOX (THAT'S US!) and you hope to get in some Dx'pedition log on a tough path with noise and super weak signals PLEASE PLEASE do not call only once at 30 wpm and then not

Topband: 9M0W - Night 5 on Topband - then takedown at 0300 hours local time - in a pouring rainstorm!

At our SS time of 1033z, Bob DU7ET was again there to greet us and help out.; While it was quiet for 25 mins or so - I alone mislogged W4ZV as N4IS (this was entirely possible due to the doppler effect on this path on a RST 219 signal!) - me BAD - so sincere apologies to Bill - but I know he

Topband: 9M0W Day 2 on 160M - A Better Showing

At sunrise after breakfast Krassy and I.wired in a 180 delay transformer that could be switched from the operating position to switch the 2 el array from BROADSIDE to end FIRE - and also to unidirectional NE or SW. Thus night 2 at 1030z was far better for us on Topband - DU7ET was there

Topband: 9M0W - 08 March - We finally take off and our DAY 1 on the island

We all met at 0400Am at KK airport and Hrane organized the MOUNTAIN of excess luggage going out to Spratly. We took a private charter run by Malaysian Air and took off at 0545. In a little over an hour we were over the reef and the lagoon was below us - landing formalities were quite

Topband: 9M0W - Day 6 - Team Meeting at Shangri La - Day 7 Cancellations galore!

At 10AM we all met each other for the first time - it was a BIG TEAM with several great 9M6 local hams. Hrane went over all necessary departure logistics for our supposed departure on 06 MARCH FROM KK to Layang Layang. We ended our meeting pretty pumped as the day of departure was almost at

Topband: 9M0W- 3 days with no clothes and NO LUGGAGE

Sunday 04 March Spent the day first chasing luggage with Air Malaysia - then touring with 9M6KOM, 9M6BOB, JT1CO and K1LZ. We went into the mountains and had a fantastic lunch overlooking KK from about 3500 feet up - a place called KOKOL HAVEN. You might look this one up on google - now

Topband: 9M0W - More Bad Luck and near disaster for me...and the Dx'pedition

I sat in Doha for my 9 hours and boarded the plane at 0145 local. We were supposed to take off at 0245 but at 4AM we were still sitting on the tarmac which I had not noticed as I had the headphones on watching a movie. The captain said "sorry for the delay in taking off - we were loading

Topband: 9M0W - Departure Bad Luck and its Consequences

Krassy and I planned to fly together from Boston at 9PM on 02 March. via Doha/Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (SABAH). Arrival would be 04 March, a TEAM MEETING for all on 05 March and a private charter flight to Layang Layang at 0545 hours on 06 March. On Wed Feb 28th I learned of the GIANT

Topband: 9M0W - 160M The decision to join this expedition

The decision to join 9M0W took place when K1LZ told me he was going to activate Scarborough Reef - I was pretty sure that was not where he was planning to go and later learned it was indeed SPRATLY. Once we got that straight, he said "You want to come?" I said -"Yeah - why not - as long as

Topband: 9M0W - Operating from SHANGRI-LA (NOT!) on 160m, - Multiple Parts

Hi Gang Having just returned from Spratly with the team and, while this is still clear in my mind, I thought I would pen a few lines to relate what it was to be a part of this venture. We will try to organize it into multiple discrete sections: The Offer to Join the Expedition The

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

Re: Topband: FT8 qrm & Bandplanning History on 160m

Hi All This FT8 discussion is fascinating really. It harkens me to remember the origins of the current ARRL 160M bandplan that we try to follow today on Topband. A number of us (myself included) were on the 160M ARRL BANDPLANNING COMMITTEE some years ago and there were several schools of

Topband: VE1ZZ Jack Leahy

Hi All A few friends have asked about VE1ZZ since he has not been on Topband much lately. I gave him a call yesterday on the phone and he said he is nearing his 82nd birthday but has been slowed down by age and other things. He said he has COPD and cannot get around very well these days -

Topband: JT5DX - W0CD Story

Hi All While at JT5DX a week or so ago, I took a breather from antenna owrk to rest for a moment - and sat down in the lounge behind CHAK's shack. On the table next to me was a stack of incoming qsl cards and I decided to take a look at them. Near the top of the pile as I sifted through

Topband: Some Operating Observations from JT5DX de K1ZM/VY2ZM (very long!)

Hi All While it is still fresh in my mind and while I have a few moments this morning, I thought I might pass along a few OPERATING OBSERVATIONS that I made while over at JT5DX this past week. I will organize these into GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, TOPBAND THOUGHTS and HF THOUGHTS. GENERAL

Re: Topband: JT1CO/JT5DX 160m Report de K1ZM

as at his home JT1CO site? 73 Mark K3MSB On Jun 1, 2017 11:27 PM, "k1zm--- via Topband" <topband@contesting.com> 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 whe

Topband: JT1CO/JT5DX 160m Report de K1ZM

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

Topband: UK Edition of Dx'ing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160M is now available

Hi Gang I am especially pleased to announce that the UK edition of Dx'ing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160M1 second edition (published by the RSGB) is now available. I especially wish to thank Mark Algar, M1MPA for his help in making this happen. It will surely make things more convenient

Topband: DXing on the Edge - 2nd edition - Important!

Hi Gang PLS EXCUSE THE BANDWIDTH! With apologies to Tree N6TR, I am writing to note that there have apparently been some production problems at Bookbaby and it has been reported to me that there are some copies out there that were truncated in CHAPTER 10 at page 10-24. The SECOND EDITION

Re: Topband: DXing on teh Edge 2nd ed

Brian & Doug (EI2CN) I am contacting the publisher today to learn what happened here and to attempt to resolve this. Pls keep me posted - if all else fails, I will personally AIR MAIL you a complete copy at my expense to make this right. I am very sorry this happened - really - but I will

Topband: DXing on the Edge - Ordering Information for International Amateurs

Hi Gang I have received quite a few emails from many overseas Topbanders seeking information regarding COST EFFICIENT ways to order Dx'ing on the Edge from an International country. (I am talking now with the RSGB about a special deal in the UK - but this is not a 'go" at this point - if

Topband: DXing on the Edge - Update - Personalized Books SOLD OUT.

Hi GANG Many thanks to those who jumped on my small quantity of books that I had on hand and could personalize!. They went very quickly. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WHO MISSED OUT - PLS GO TO DX ENGINEERING - K3LR has a supply on hand and is only too happy to provide one to you. My good

Topband: Dx'ing on the Edge - Numbered and Signed Copies Now Available fro US Topbanders

Hi Gang Season's Greetings and HNY to All 160m Dx'ers. FYI - I now have on hand a **small** number of signed & numbered copies of the SECOND EDITION of DXing on the Edge here with me on Cape Cod. These can be personalized (if desired) and can be shipped relatively inexpensively to US

Re: Topband: Dxing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160m! - SECOND EDITION is now available!

Andy Jeff here. Pls let me know if you were able to get a book from Jay at ARRAY SOLUTIONS... Apparently BB does not ship to all countries - one of them is Russia - I did not know that - but I can help if needed. After DEC 20th I will have a personal supply on hand and can even provide

Re: Topband: 160 Meter Contests

Rick I was delighted you heard me - YES - I was more than an hour into daylight - so your RX setup must be pretty damend good!!! 73 JEFF Original Message From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist To: W0MU Mike Fatchett ; topband

Topband: Dxing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160m! - SECOND EDITION is now available!

Hi Gang I am pleased to be able to announce that the 2ND EDITION of Dxing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160M! is now available for purchase. While we had a great run with ARRL starting in 1998 (for which I am most grateful), this second edition has been self-published using BOOKBABY.com.

Re: Topband: W1BB (not K1BB)

Gary and all My book Dx'ing on the Edge is now out of print - but sold several thousand copies -however. you can find a copy here and there on EBAY and Amazon still The opening cut on the enclosed CD in the book is of Stew Perry on New Year's Eve 1977 talking to EI8H and Ernie K1PBW. The

Topband: JA LP in Central NJ

Hi Gang Following the recent posts regarding JA 160m qso's just before JA sunrise, Peter Hutter, WW2Y, wrote to me to remind me that he heard my qso with JH5FXP on 25 Dec 1996 near Princeton, NJ., This is the furthest Southerly report of a JA being heard at 2130z or so that I know of - as

Topband: Longpath 2100z - More

Hi One More time. I was thinking about all of this overnight and can add one more data point to this topic. Shortly after I retired and, while still in New York, I used to work 40M long path to JA every day during Nov/Dec and Jan. This was around 1994/1995 and I would start listening

Topband: JA 160M Routing from Cape Cod at 2100z

Hi Again Just a brief clarification after reading W1FV's posting yesterday. My comments about a North polar short path routing to JA at 2100z apply strictly to VY2ZM - where this is a constant which I have observed many times over a 15 year period. Cape Cod and lower New England may indeed

Re: Topband: K1FK to JA Via 160-Meter Long Path

Hi guys You have both surfaced a topic that is of great personal interest to me as I have worked JA on 160m around 2100z both from K1ZM on Cape Cod and from VY2ZM on PEI many many times. The conventional wisdom is that signals propagate SE over Africa and VK6 on Topband at 2100z but I no

Topband: The VY2ZM Lowband and Contest Station is FOR SALE

Hi Guys Yes - you read the title correctlyit is time to move on. *SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY please to k...@aol.com Overview at QRZ.com - see VY2ZM Photos and Aerial Video at http://www.vy2zm.com Details will be be provided via email to serious inquiries only. Thanks for

Re: Topband: Modeling the proverbial vertical on a beach

Hi Guys K3ZM is my brother - and his 160m antenna is located in a salt marsh just to the West of Chesapeake Bay in Matthews, Va as I recall. Indeed he is located inland a bit (eg: not directly at water's edge) - perhaps 1000 feet distant (although this is only a guess on my part from photos I

Re: Topband: Beverage feedline

FWIW - Here at VY2ZM - I am running RG6 (standard stuff) out 3500 feet to a distant RX antenna on the other side of my property. I am also switching 12VDC down the line (using a BIAS Tee) - in order to switch the hybrid coupler from NE to SW - All of this is on 160M - so I think you will