Topband: Radial Wire System Comparison - (was adding a parasitic reflect

>> I have researched Laport's material, and find nothing that compares multi-tower array performance when using insulated radial wire versus uninsulated wire when using a bus wire at the radial overlap points. Since his worked in the 1950s mostly focused on directional broadcast tower arrays --

Re: Topband: Looking for experience with DHDL

Hi Rick, You might take a look at a document you can download on a simple website of mine that describes what I called a Terminated Bowtie receive antenna. I created this document while investigating the DHDL design. After I created my document, Rudy Severns (N6LF) published a document

Topband: Radial Wire System Comparison - (was adding a parasitic reflector to a vertical)

Dan and all... I am in the middle of constructing 4-squares for 160m and 80m. One element of each array is up and operating. A decision must be made concerning the layout of Teflon-insulated radial wire and whether to run a bus wire/strap at the intersection of overlapping radials. It may not

Re: Topband: Looking for experience with DHDL

Rick, I built two DHDL-s last week for the 160 m contest from C6AGU. One was pointed towards EU and the other one towards NA/JA. The EU one was longer at 19 m vs. 16 m for the NA one. The two antennas behaved quite differently, with the EU one being excellent and the NA one very mediocre. I

Re: Topband: Radial Wire System Comparison - (was adding a parasitic reflect

>"The reason is that the standard DA ground system as far as I know, has always involved strapping radials to a copper strap running along the line of radial intersection, clipping off the radial wire that runs past the strap." Unless there's modeled or measured data, that's the "conventional

Topband: Wednesday 160m Activity Night

Well, great to hear lots of stations on 160 last night! I came on around Z for an hour . . . and again at 0600Z (meant to come on at 0330Z, but went back to sleep!) However, I managed to work 36 North American stations. There seemed to be quite a few Europeans on too. Thanks to everyone

Re: Topband: Condx from NA to EU last night

Hi Propagation very good - ( 05:03-05:37) GA, IN, IA, KS, PA, MO, TN, MN, OH But only nine QSOs.. We wait in the mornings the American stations! > Conditions last night from here in the Midwest (Iowa) to Europe were > exceptional. . .probably the best of the season so far. I got ready to >

Topband: Working dupes on a band

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with working the same station on the same band more than once. We used to do it all the time to assure we had "insurance" contacts with someone we needed for DXCC or other award. Online logs and ClubLog has limited that need to some extent, but not

Topband: Working dupes on a band

It would be a very boring hobby if you only ever worked a given station ONCE . . . To me, the hobby is all about having regular contacts - it's how you make friends ! And that's the same whether it's locals or DX stations. Also one of the reasons 160m has always been my main activity (for the

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

Hi The main pleasure not DXCC. We love good and various propagation! > In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with working the same station on the > same band more than once. We used to do it all the time to assure we had > "insurance" contacts with someone we needed for DXCC or other award.

Topband: Condx from NA to EU last night

Actually Dave, I didn't think conditions were exceptional last night . . . They have been much the same almost every night I have been on the band for the past few weeks. (I'm going by the strength of signals received, as well as my reports . . . with stations right across to the West Coast)

Topband: Condx from NA to EU last night

Conditions last night from here in the Midwest (Iowa) to Europe were exceptional. . .probably the best of the season so far. I got ready to shut down around 0500z and thought I would take a listen before before I did. I was hearing Europe pretty well including Zone 16 stations. I called and

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

If you are a DX station please call me no matter how many times we have worked before. Its nice to know the band is open and that I am not calling CQ into a dark void. Yes the RBN helps but there is no replacement for a real contact. Larry N7DD Sent by Larry On Feb 1, 2018, at 3:15 PM, terry

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

AB7ZU Mike Armstrong has passed Can we remove him from this group please Thank you, the XYL US Navy - What a wild, and fabulous, ride! Can I go again? ;) > On Feb 1, 2018, at 12:31, Roger Kennedy wrote: > > > It would be a very boring hobby if you only ever

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

Hi guys, I see nothing wrong with working someone you have had more than one contact with before. At least as long as there are not people trying to work an ATNO. But that is where my rub comes from. Can't tell you how many times I hear the 'locals' working the DX night after night and

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

My first post here,but read all the posts every day in fact look forward to it! My feelings exactly Pete and might I add ,there are still gentlemen on topband.This am at 1215z I was able to copy and have a good contact with HL5IVL for an ATNO on 160. There were 3 or 4 others calling and Kim

Re: Topband: Condx from NA to EU last night

Roger, You did something great by stirring up people to get on the air. It was partly the participation that's created the "good conditions". 160 m almost always has some propagation. I often call CQ for many minutes and can see good signals (S/N!) on the EU RBN-s, but there is nobody to work.

Re: Topband: Radial Wire Comparison

A while back, I specifically asked K3LC whether there was a significant difference electrically between tying radials to a buss in a 4 square or just letting them overlap. To my surprise, Al said that the modeled antenna gain of the overlapping radial system was slightly greater than that of

Re: Topband: Radial Wire System Comparison - (was adding a parasitic reflect

Paul, I got a good deal on stranded teflon wire. It cost me $0. I lay it on the ground. The only issue I have with it is that the wire is stranded and it wicks in moisture. Teflon is easily nicked and the moisture finds it's way in. You mentioned your wire is solid so you should not have that

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

You guys shud try FT8 on 160..DX stations hear and decode everybody at the same time – no QRM !! They then just work their way down the list...nobody interferes with anybody else –everybody gets a chance...jay ny2ny _ Topband Reflector Archives -

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

Wow Roger – I didn’t know digital QSO’s were IMPROPERwelcome to the 21st century...jay ---ny2ny _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

I am in the process of building my first ever BOG (NE/SW) and hope to be more active on 160. Wednesdays right after the 0300Z CWT's are perfect, since I end CWT's on 160 anyhow. This is the first season I've attacked my "160 problem" and started getting new countries on CW. And even developed

Topband: Working dupes on a band

Sorry Jay . . . but not in a million years ! That's exactly what I wanted to get away from . . . My suggestion of having a 160m DX Activity night every Wednesday was to get people on the band to have PROPER QSOs ! Thank you for all the nice emails I've received about this . . . Let's hope it

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

Actually, there is QRM.  In fact I gave up FT8 after about a hundred Qs  after trying to work a nameless west African who started getting clobbered mid QSO. I just kept repeating reports hoping that the QRM would compete and move, when up popped JTAlert with a message to the effect that my QSO

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

The FT8 QSOs may be "proper" for a computer. Just not for a human. 73 Ed N1UR _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Adding a parasitic reflector to a vertical

As Tim noted I built the K3LR version of the 3 element parasitic array this past fall. I used my original and existing shunt fed tower as the driven element. It is switchable in four directions and I have an extensive radial system (120 radials)under each element. My initial assessment indicates

Re: Topband: Condx from NA to EU last night / sunrise enhancement, or, lack of it

Roger's contention that sunrise peaking was not what it was decades ago has intrigued me, especially considering that he has pointed out that he can still observe the noise floor dropping at sunrise. Others have suggested that they are still seeing sunrise enhancements, either for sunrise at

Re: Topband: Working dupes on a band

Hi Roger Agree 100%. Also for me ,,,FT8 and JT65 is NOT a Ham radio QSO.As I see it. Its computer talking to a computer without human help. NEVER from me either. BUT these people that enjoy FT8 aso and remote stations from each side of big countries like USA and Russia, they can of course do so.

Re: Topband: High voltage insulator

Ray, I have a very similar setup here on Cayman Brac. The main difference is that my quarter wave vertical for 80 comes off my 160m vertical at about 50 feet or so and slopes down at a steeper than 45 degree angle and then back to the base of the 160m vertical. So it looks like a short left