Topband is one of the most frustrating HF band to work DX on that you will encounter. Can it be done from a 1/2 acre city lot, yep, and smaller. I may live in the "high desert" (Quartz Hill/Lancaster) but the old part of town I live in is plagued with power line noise too. Openings occur rarely and when they do, they can be as short at 2-3 minutes (or thats at least as long as I may hear them). I have fallen asleep many nights at my operation desk listening to "noise".
Now, I finally made DXCC, actually I have 125 worked with 120 confirmed with a dozen or so in the europe area. My secret is.. "My 40 foot shunt-fed tower with no radials". Do I hear europe? on very rare occasions when the prop gods are smiling upon me. Do I work europe, even more rare but with persistence, you can work DXCC on topband. I added a K9AY loop a few years ago and sometimes that helps but the noise is everywhere in the area. The real secret to hearing/working Europe is propagation. You can check out my QRZ page to see the 40' antenna design and layout. GL KR6C ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- From: "WS6X" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: Topband: Need help to improve DX on 1/2 acre lot from CA Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:01:16 -0800 Message: 2 Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:49:44 -0800 From: <[email protected]> Subject: Topband: Need help to improve DX on 1/2 acre lot from CA Hello All, First, I want to describe my problem. I have a 1/2 acre lot in the back property where I install my antennas. I live in the central valley of California which is only about 300 feet ASL. I do not live near the coast nor live in the "high desert ". Some facts regarding this station: 1. I still have not copied or worked into Europe. I have been on this band somewhat seriously for at least 5 years ==== Hi Jeff, You will do well to scour the archives of this reflector, paying close attention to what your nearest neighbors are saying. While I enjoy complaining about living in "the black hole" as much as the next person, in reality, the SJV is not as bad as you might imagine. So what I write is meant to be an encouragement and to offer proof that all is NOT lost! My QTH is about 2 gallons of petrol south of you in Fresno, on a 120x120 city lot. My section of town is plagued with ever-present EMI, and of course, it comes from all directions. I have never had a multi-element TX antenna on 160 (only ever used half-slopers). I have never owned an amplifier capable of the full legal limit. I have no room for even a short Beverage -- although I have considered a short BOG. I made my first DX QSO on 160 in February 1984 (KL7GKY), so I have dinked around on 160 for a lot of years. It wasn't until the late 90s when my DXCC total had climbed above 50 that I began to think in terms of "possible." However, it wasn't until Christmas Eve, 2005 that I FINALLY heard -- and worked -- my first EU (OZ7YY)! In January of 2006 I installed a rotating flag, my first RX antenna. Since then I've used the K9AY for several seasons, I've used a 2-el phased short vertical system, I have tried a very low dipole bent in a U-shape, I also have a small loop. Has any of this ever produced a "night and day" difference? Not on your life. I can assure you of this: every one of these antennas at one time or another was the ONLY antenna that could hear a certain DX station. My 160M DXCC stands at 178 worked (165 confirmed) in 33 Zones. I have worked 36 EU countries on 160, many of them several times over. One glorious night in February, 2010, I worked 17 EU in the space of 4 hours. I have routinely worked the world (including EU) with 100 Watts. I have 22 countries on 5 continents in the log operating QRP. On the other hand, there have been evenings when I couldn't work your FM5 or KV4FZ with a kW to save my life. You will find that condx vary all over the map. Rick, N6RK, and Jim, K9YC (and others) hit the nail on the head... 160M is all about commitment: commitment to improve your TX antenna; commitment to put the time into the band so you understand how it will bite you in the kester; commitment to many, many, many long hours straining noise just to be sure you are at the radio when that once-in-a-lifetime moment comes your way! So... is Atwater the black hole of California? I doubt it! Can you realistically expect "night and day" improvements with a minimum of work? Not on your life! Can you realistically expect to earn DXCC on TB from a small lot? You better believe it! Of course, you better read and re-read the preceding paragraph! :o) Good Luck, Jim - WS6X 2. I hear a few Russians but they don't hear me. 3. I heard a FM5 last few nights peaking 559, called him countleesly with no QSO. My power is about 800 W on this band ( single 3-500 ). I am looking into finding a single GS35 amp for all bands on HF....love that tube. 4. I don't have the capacity to erect a full size radiator on this band although I am curious about the Titanix 160 vertical, what it is and is it worth looking into ? 5. I have read a lot about the K9AY RX loop. I have room for is antenna but before I construct one, what are your opinions ? 6. I also read about a 225 foot beverage run close to the ground as a RX ant. How does this compare to the K9AY loop ? 7. What is the best "short 160 vertical configuration" that has the best performance for working DX ? 8. You will notice I mentioned that I only run a single ground radial on each band. Would adding lets say 3 more Make the difference between night and day for TX or RX ? I think that's about it for now...73..... Jeff K7XQ Atwater, CA. _________________ Topband Reflector ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 53 But Looks 25 Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/50f624deb382024de5a5cst04vuc _________________ Topband Reflector
