Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
I can help with RX noise issues. 73, Jim K9YC On Fri,12/5/2014 2:01 PM, DALE LONG wrote: Our plans for a 160m operation and CQWWCW entry were delayed due to supply issues and construction woes. THINGS ARE NOT EASY IN HAITI !!! We are very fortunate that we had any place to operate. We had only very low dipoles on the higher bands at the hotel/guesthouse. Thanks to the great kindness of Jean-Robert HH2JR (who is also famous for his efforts in the Haitian earthquake) we were offered the opportunity to use his nice station for the contest, and operate with the club callsign of 4V1FR. The last two days we worked on erecting the 160m antenna. We need to be thankful for three things, the kindness of HH2JR, the efforts to put up the antenna (including tower climbing and roof-climbing by an un-named old guy) and the excellent filtering ability of the Elecraft K3. We did not have time or space for a listening antenna, although with more time I would have tried. In the end we worked 180 stations on topband and had 3100 QSOs in the contest, which is not bad for a contest operation with only two ops. We aso had three lengthy power outages during which we got good exercise trying to start the generator. You probably already know that we were there on the top of every hour. We made a big effort on 160m because of the need. The antenna was an inverted Vee with one side folded back to the tower about 15 feet from the ground. The wire almost reached back to the tower. The other side went over a couple roofs and tied off in a neighboring property. It was an accomplishment to get this antenna erected and our host HH2JR was delighted to have a 160m antenna. The bad news is that we worked no EU stations, not a single one. We had 20 over 9 noise constantly...We did not have static crashes, just constant noise. One leg of the antenna was very close to a WIFI antenna. Not sure if that was the only culprit. I would like to know how we were being heard in EU...I have no reports. Our antenna described above and we used an Acom 1011 amplifier with about 750w output. Our best contact was with CN2AA. All other contacts were in the Caribbean area and North America. My goal in the future is to organize a dxpedition for topband operation only. We are looking for interested operators who love 160m. We know that contest weekends are not the best for DXing. We need a dedicated team of topband guys, not one guy without an RX antenna. But again, we need to thank HH2JR. Without his kind offer there would have been zero contacts on 160m last weekend. Thanks for all who called and wish that more of you could have been in the log. Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a 160m dxpedtion from Haiti. And please let me know how was our signal in EU compared to other stations. Thanks 73 Dale - N3BNA _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 +
On Fri,12/5/2014 12:29 PM, Charles Yahrling wrote: Just getting started modelling and looking for answers to questions not found in manual so far. For example, what exactly is included in the Return Loss figure shown in the SWR window? Just ground reflection loss, total system loss, something else? Trying to understand why Return Loss is greater for lower SWR curve values. e.g see this when toggling between std and alt impedance. What is this suggesting, go with lower return loss or lower swr curve? An incomplete grasp of the fundamentals is admittedly likely here g. So that's what you need to study. ARRL Handbook and ARRL Antenna Book. Those of us who understand have paid those dues. Now it's your turn to hit the books. :) Tough love. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
I called you for 45 minutes or so, also a lot of other EU stations called, you did have a decent signal but problems receiving. Wow 20 over 9 noise floor, if I had known I never would have called you, waist of power and time. 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2014-12-06 09:36, Jim Brown wrote: I can help with RX noise issues. 73, Jim K9YC On Fri,12/5/2014 2:01 PM, DALE LONG wrote: Our plans for a 160m operation and CQWWCW entry were delayed due to supply issues and construction woes. THINGS ARE NOT EASY IN HAITI !!! We are very fortunate that we had any place to operate. We had only very low dipoles on the higher bands at the hotel/guesthouse. Thanks to the great kindness of Jean-Robert HH2JR (who is also famous for his efforts in the Haitian earthquake) we were offered the opportunity to use his nice station for the contest, and operate with the club callsign of 4V1FR. The last two days we worked on erecting the 160m antenna. We need to be thankful for three things, the kindness of HH2JR, the efforts to put up the antenna (including tower climbing and roof-climbing by an un-named old guy) and the excellent filtering ability of the Elecraft K3. We did not have time or space for a listening antenna, although with more time I would have tried. In the end we worked 180 stations on topband and had 3100 QSOs in the contest, which is not bad for a contest operation with only two ops. We aso had three lengthy power outages during which we got good exercise trying to start the generator. You probably already know that we were there on the top of every hour. We made a big effort on 160m because of the need. The antenna was an inverted Vee with one side folded back to the tower about 15 feet from the ground. The wire almost reached back to the tower. The other side went over a couple roofs and tied off in a neighboring property. It was an accomplishment to get this antenna erected and our host HH2JR was delighted to have a 160m antenna. The bad news is that we worked no EU stations, not a single one. We had 20 over 9 noise constantly...We did not have static crashes, just constant noise. One leg of the antenna was very close to a WIFI antenna. Not sure if that was the only culprit. I would like to know how we were being heard in EU...I have no reports. Our antenna described above and we used an Acom 1011 amplifier with about 750w output. Our best contact was with CN2AA. All other contacts were in the Caribbean area and North America. My goal in the future is to organize a dxpedition for topband operation only. We are looking for interested operators who love 160m. We know that contest weekends are not the best for DXing. We need a dedicated team of topband guys, not one guy without an RX antenna. But again, we need to thank HH2JR. Without his kind offer there would have been zero contacts on 160m last weekend. Thanks for all who called and wish that more of you could have been in the log. Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a 160m dxpedtion from Haiti. And please let me know how was our signal in EU compared to other stations. Thanks 73 Dale - N3BNA _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
On Sat,12/6/2014 12:56 AM, Jan Erik Holm wrote: Wow 20 over 9 noise floor, if I had known I never would have called you, waist of power and time. Any team that goes to a location, whatever it, is, unprepared to address local noise issues is incompetent and ill prepared. I'm willing to help, but that's part of planning for any such effort. It's at least as important as what radios you bring and what antennas you plan to use. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
Dale, Assume and hope the call sign was 4V1JR instead of 4V1JB? Sorry you had problems with local noise. You did the best you could do with the location you had available and those who made a contact during the contest really appreciate your efforts. I worked you on 80 and 20 using another call sign operating a remote station in NY. I noticed that KC0W will be going to Haiti January 12 until February 2 and will work 160, 80 and 40 CW only. Look at his QRZ Page. He has been there several times in the past and am quite sure he will make thousands of contacts on 160 during those two weeks. 73...Stan, K5GO Sent from my iPad On Dec 5, 2014, at 4:01 PM, DALE LONG dale.l...@prodigy.net wrote: Our plans for a 160m operation and CQWWCW entry were delayed due to supply issues and construction woes. THINGS ARE NOT EASY IN HAITI !!! We are very fortunate that we had any place to operate. We had only very low dipoles on the higher bands at the hotel/guesthouse. Thanks to the great kindness of Jean-Robert HH2JR (who is also famous for his efforts in the Haitian earthquake) we were offered the opportunity to use his nice station for the contest, and operate with the club callsign of 4V1FR. The last two days we worked on erecting the 160m antenna. We need to be thankful for three things, the kindness of HH2JR, the efforts to put up the antenna (including tower climbing and roof-climbing by an un-named old guy) and the excellent filtering ability of the Elecraft K3. We did not have time or space for a listening antenna, although with more time I would have tried. In the end we worked 180 stations on topband and had 3100 QSOs in the contest, which is not bad for a contest operation with only two ops. We aso had three lengthy power outages during which we got good exercise trying to start the generator. You probably already know that we were there on the top of every hour. We made a big effort on 160m because of the need. The antenna was an inverted Vee with one side folded back to the tower about 15 feet from the ground. The wire almost reached back to the tower. The other side went over a couple roofs and tied off in a neighboring property. It was an accomplishment to get this antenna erected and our host HH2JR was delighted to have a 160m antenna. The bad news is that we worked no EU stations, not a single one. We had 20 over 9 noise constantly...We did not have static crashes, just constant noise. One leg of the antenna was very close to a WIFI antenna. Not sure if that was the only culprit. I would like to know how we were being heard in EU...I have no reports. Our antenna described above and we used an Acom 1011 amplifier with about 750w output. Our best contact was with CN2AA. All other contacts were in the Caribbean area and North America. My goal in the future is to organize a dxpedition for topband operation only. We are looking for interested operators who love 160m. We know that contest weekends are not the best for DXing. We need a dedicated team of topband guys, not one guy without an RX antenna. But again, we need to thank HH2JR. Without his kind offer there would have been zero contacts on 160m last weekend. Thanks for all who called and wish that more of you could have been in the log. Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a 160m dxpedtion from Haiti. And please let me know how was our signal in EU compared to other stations. Thanks 73 Dale - N3BNA _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + return loss and another question
Thanks for your explanations Charlie es Tom. I guess return loss is the opposite of what it sounded like to me. At any rate, you've explained why it varies inversely with SWR. Next question: in the manual the ALT IMPEDANCE explantion uses a 4:1 transformer example, which I get. I've been toggling between RG213 50 ohm and rg6/u 75 ohm to observe differences, reasoning that if I use a 75 ohm feeder and get 2:0:1 or lower SWR values, the 50 ohm system would start (end) at the rig instead of the antenna feed point. I noted that the SWR bumped up a bit when I added a 120ft transmission line, which I would expect. Am I interpreting alt impedance feature and results correctly? I don't have a single piece of 50 ohm that long but have long pieces of brand new CATV rg6/u from a hamfest jackpot. In chapter six on Transmission Lines in Low Band DXing the suggestion is to use a half-wave section of 75 ohm to aid the match. I have enough rg6u and a 941E tuner if needed to do this. BTW this whole exercise is mostly intended as a lab session for me and a way to get into top band quickly with a temporary antenna. I expected before - and after looking at the FFT pattern have certainly confirmed - that a flattop half wave dipole at 50 feet over rocky ground is not going to work out as a DX antenna. But it might be good enough to allow me to NCS a Tuesday night follow-on cw net after my regular net on 7.117, z Tuesday nights. Hope to be in business by Stew Perry contest. 73, chuck -- de AB1VL NAQCC #6799 ab1vl.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
Dale, I know you were stuck with what you had this time, and I'm sure most people appreciate your efforts and understand the difficulty with portable accommodations. Maybe in the future you can find a better location. Remember on 160, it is location way up above everything else on the list. Don't be discouraged or feel bad about trying. 73 Tom - Original Message - From: DALE LONG dale.l...@prodigy.net To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 5:01 PM Subject: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB Our plans for a 160m operation and CQWWCW entry were delayed due to supply issues and construction woes. THINGS ARE NOT EASY IN HAITI !!! We are very fortunate that we had any place to operate. We had only very low dipoles on the higher bands at the hotel/guesthouse. Thanks to the great kindness of Jean-Robert HH2JR (who is also famous for his efforts in the Haitian earthquake) we were offered the opportunity to use his nice station for the contest, and operate with the club callsign of 4V1FR. The last two days we worked on erecting the 160m antenna. We need to be thankful for three things, the kindness of HH2JR, the efforts to put up the antenna (including tower climbing and roof-climbing by an un-named old guy) and the excellent filtering ability of the Elecraft K3. We did not have time or space for a listening antenna, although with more time I would have tried. In the end we worked 180 stations on topband and had 3100 QSOs in the contest, which is not bad for a contest operation with only two ops. We aso had three lengthy power outages during which we got good exercise trying to start the generator. You probably already know that we were there on the top of every hour. We made a big effort on 160m because of the need. The antenna was an inverted Vee with one side folded back to the tower about 15 feet from the ground. The wire almost reached back to the tower. The other side went over a couple roofs and tied off in a neighboring property. It was an accomplishment to get this antenna erected and our host HH2JR was delighted to have a 160m antenna. The bad news is that we worked no EU stations, not a single one. We had 20 over 9 noise constantly...We did not have static crashes, just constant noise. One leg of the antenna was very close to a WIFI antenna. Not sure if that was the only culprit. I would like to know how we were being heard in EU...I have no reports. Our antenna described above and we used an Acom 1011 amplifier with about 750w output. Our best contact was with CN2AA. All other contacts were in the Caribbean area and North America. My goal in the future is to organize a dxpedition for topband operation only. We are looking for interested operators who love 160m. We know that contest weekends are not the best for DXing. We need a dedicated team of topband guys, not one guy without an RX antenna. But again, we need to thank HH2JR. Without his kind offer there would have been zero contacts on 160m last weekend. Thanks for all who called and wish that more of you could have been in the log. Please let me know if you would be interested in doing a 160m dxpedtion from Haiti. And please let me know how was our signal in EU compared to other stations. Thanks 73 Dale - N3BNA _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4794 / Virus Database: 4235/8686 - Release Date: 12/05/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB
Hi All, 4V1JR was the only Carribean multiplier than did not answer me on 10 meters (SOSB HIGH 10m this year). To get others one or two calls from newly installed 6 element quad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d927PGouBU were needed. Obviously one can't afford waisting 45 minutes to work a single multiplier regardless of band. Sat, 06 Dec 2014 09:56:25 +0100 от Jan Erik Holm sm2...@bdtv.se: I called you for 45 minutes or so, also a lot of other EU stations called, you did have a decent signal but problems receiving. Wow 20 over 9 noise floor, if I had known I never would have called you, waist of power and time. 73 Jim SM2EKM - On 2014-12-06 09:36, Jim Brown wrote: I can help with RX noise issues. 73, Jim K9YC -- 73, Victor Goncharsky US5WE/K1WE (UW5W in VHF contests, EO90WF in 2014), P.E. UARL Technical and VHF Committies DXCC Honor Roll #1 (Mixed, Phone) DXCC card checker (160 meters). _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 +
We can have 67% reflected power and still have nearly 100% of transmitter power getting into the antenna and being radiated. Then could someone please explain why the manufacturers of ham, broadcast AM/FM/TV, and other transmitters specify the maximum SWR (e.g., minimum return loss) for the loads they may drive at full, rated output power (no foldback)? If nearly 100% of the r-f power output of such transmitters was radiated by the antenna system regardless its VSWR/return loss, what would be the need for such OEMs to specify a maximum load SWR? Easy. It has nothing to do with reflected waves reaching the PA device. Reflected power, or SWR, can actually make a PA run cooler. The job of a tank circuit or output matching circuit is to establish a LOADLINE for the power amplifier device. This is found through a form of Fourier analysis of the time varying voltage and current at the output device, or through experimentation. This loadline is selected to provide either the best energy transfer from the device, the best linearity, or some other target goal or combination of goals. When the load mismatches the output impedance transformation design termination impedance, the PA load impedance deviates from optimum. As far as the PA stage goes, SWR really just indicates an impedance mismatch from ideal. The PA termination impedance change is transformed through the output matching to move the loadline. If the tank system can be readjusted to a new value, you can have a 50:1 feedline SWR and not hurt the PA system. The only limit is voltage and current rating of components up to the output device end of the matching system. But again, a mismatch from the impedance the tank was adjusted for simply changes the loadline seen by the PA device. Mismatch can make PA heat decrease, increase, or stay the same. It can make distortion increase, decrease, or stay the same. It is nothing other than a change in loadline to the PA device. http://www.w8ji.com/Vacuum_tube_amps.htm By the way, there is no source impedance to match in a typical PA. The PA device impedance is varying constantly through the RF cycle. With class B or shorter angles, the PA device is switching completely off for a portion of the cycle. The only impedance is loss loading of the system. This is why tank voltages on the anode of a tube can go ten or twenty times the DC supply voltages with certain termination impedances. http://www.w8ji.com/demonstation.htm _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + return loss and another question
Chuck, Next question: in the manual the ALT IMPEDANCE explantion uses a 4:1 transformer example, which I get. I've been toggling between RG213 50 ohm and rg6/u 75 ohm to observe differences, reasoning that if I use a 75 ohm feeder and get 2:0:1 or lower SWR values, the 50 ohm system would start (end) at the rig instead of the antenna feed point. I noted that the SWR bumped up a bit when I added a 120ft transmission line, which I would expect. I'm not sure what you are saying there, but it seems the usual stuff about SWR that trips people up may be confusing you. Unless you want to get into complex wave theory that takes a chapter of text to explain a simple concept, it is best to look at this a different way. If we were transmitting video or had very high speed digital systems, we would have to consider reflected waves. We have steady-state systems where levels change over many RF cycles, not pulse or extreme bandwidth systems. The real reason system performance changes with SWR is the impedance changes throughout the system. This impedance change causes voltages and currents throughout the system to change, and this causes losses to change. SWR or mismatch can change the loadline seen by the PA device(s), changing how the PA device works. You probably don't need to know any of that to answer your question. If you can ask a specific question, it should be easy to answer the question without confusing you. Are you asking how to best model 75 ohm transmission lines in EZNEC? If not, what are you trying to do with the model?? 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
After playing in the ARRL DX contest in the early morning hours, it looks to me that what is *really* needed is a small DX window somewhere in the 15 kHz JA segment 1810-1825. Heck, it could even be less than 5 kHz wide. From my QTH in the central USA, I could copy JAs who were working NA stations; and some JAs spotted NA stations in the cluster. But 1810-1825 was wall-to-wall NA stations calling CQ. What are the chances of such a DX window making it into the rules? Maybe in a future Stew? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Tue, Dec 2, 2014 at 3:52 AM, Petr Ourednik indi...@xsmail.com wrote: 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 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 +
Not sure that I can picture just what you are describing, Paul. Even though, I wasn't born until 1944, I've explored just about every type of antenna and I've modeled an awful lot of them. See the image in the link below: After rotating the image in your browser, note that the feed to the horizontal hat is fanned to form the vertical radiator. What looks like a complex antenna is nothing more than the classic T but with the horizontal hat spread out across six conductors. This was a very popular antenna during the spark-gap era. http://tinyurl.com/kdzkt2x The inverted L form of this antenna simply moved the center fan off to one side. This was typically done on smaller city lots as only one additional support was needed if you had a multi-story home. Both forms show up regularly on the pages of QST prior to about 1925. The famous 9ZN antenna was installed on the property of the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. After college, I lived across the street from the hotel when I was working for RKO Radio back in the mid '80s. What you see is really just a super wide conductor for the vertical radiator. This was not commonly used. The impact of the station was probably not so much from the vertical radiator as it was from attention paid to the extensive ground system. Here's a photo of the 9ZN antenna and ham shack taken around 1920. This is exactly where the Zenith brand began. https://musiccityvintageradio.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/house.jpg One of the more impressive antennas in the early '20s was that designed for 1BCG for the transatlantic tests. That antenna used a circular counterpoise as an elevated ground system. The vertical extends straight up from the shack roof. W2PA has assembled a nice page of information about the station and its operators. http://w2pa.net/HRH/crossings-iii-accolades/ Paul, W9AC --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
Mike et al, no answer to your open Q but I just scanned the band yday and I did work quite a few US stations being not very loud but ...they wera listening in all directions at the same time. Hope to catch u as well. 73 Len SM7BIC -Ursprungligt meddelande- Från: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] För Mike Waters Skickat: den 6 december 2014 15:28 Till: topband Kopia: Petr Ourednik Ämne: Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window? After playing in the ARRL DX contest in the early morning hours, it looks to me that what is *really* needed is a small DX window somewhere in the 15 kHz JA segment 1810-1825. Heck, it could even be less than 5 kHz wide. From my QTH in the central USA, I could copy JAs who were working NA stations; and some JAs spotted NA stations in the cluster. But 1810-1825 was wall-to-wall NA stations calling CQ. What are the chances of such a DX window making it into the rules? Maybe in a future Stew? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Tue, Dec 2, 2014 at 3:52 AM, Petr Ourednik indi...@xsmail.com wrote: 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/JapaneseAmateurBandplans2009 0330.pdf _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 +
Thanks, Carl I suppose all those wires helped to increase bandwidth. Charlie K4OTV -Original Message- From: Carl [mailto:k...@jeremy.qozzy.com] Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 10:20 AM To: Charlie Cunningham; 'Paul Christensen'; 'topband' Subject: Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + Charlie, visualize a straight horizontal wire wire between two tall points; then slanting to vertical wires coming down to the common feed point. The Titanic had a multi wire T horizontal and vertical fed in the center. Considering its daytime range of 200-400 miles and up to 2200 at night with about 500W radiated from a 5KW spark it was pretty effective on 600M. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Charlie Cunningham charlie-cunning...@nc.rr.com To: 'Paul Christensen' w...@arrl.net; 'topband' topband@contesting.com Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 12:41 AM Subject: Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + Not sure that I can picture just what you are describing, Paul. Even though, I wasn't born until 1944, I've explored just about every type of antenna and I've modeled an awful lot of them. Of course the typical inverted L is just a monopole that is bent over at the top to reduce the required support height, and an inverted L with elevated radials is just a ground-plane antenna that is bent over at the top and the Tee equivalents just replace the single top wire with equal and opposite wires at the top to extend the monopole to resonant length. The Tee version does eliminate the modest residual horizontal component in the far field that occurs with the inverted L configuration. Of course antenna current is still fundamentally important - that's what does the radiation! I do still have a matched pair of RF ammeters around here, but these days we accomplish the equivalent measurement by measuring forward power with our SWR bridges. There's still a fundamental I-squared x R relation between power and antenna current, where R is the radiation resistance of the antenna + copper losses. So, it's all the same thing, really. I can't come up with the name of the antenna that you are describing, because I can't quite picture it. 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 11:23 PM To: topband Subject: Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + What did they call the teens to 20's antenna that had multiple feeds coming down from one end of the flatop to the other? Both the T and the fanned inverted L were popular on 200m in 1910-1920 just as the single-wire Inverted L is today on 160m. Back then, ops were obsessed with maximum antenna current but radiation resistance didn’t enter into the discussions until the mid '20s. By the mid 20s when CW took over, much less attention was paid to antenna current as a station performance metric. During the spark era, ops would keep adding horizontal wires to the flat top fans until the line current reached diminishing returns. We typically see 5-6 wires wide-spread in old station photos.Then, separate wires would connect to the flat top and extended down a common point where it became a single-wire feeder. Paul, W9AC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4235/8690 - Release Date: 12/06/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
That must have been earlier, Len. I didn't start into the contest until 0945 UTC. Maybe tonight will be different. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 9:07 AM, Lennart m lennart.michaels...@telia.com wrote: Mike et al, no answer to your open Q but I just scanned the band yday and I did work quite a few US stations being not very loud but ...they wera listening in all directions at the same time. Hope to catch u as well. 73 Len SM7BIC -Ursprungligt meddelande- Från: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] För Mike Waters Skickat: den 6 december 2014 15:28 Till: topband Kopia: Petr Ourednik Ämne: Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window? After playing in the ARRL DX contest in the early morning hours, it looks to me that what is *really* needed is a small DX window somewhere in the 15 kHz JA segment 1810-1825. Heck, it could even be less than 5 kHz wide. From my QTH in the central USA, I could copy JAs who were working NA stations; and some JAs spotted NA stations in the cluster. But 1810-1825 was wall-to-wall NA stations calling CQ. What are the chances of such a DX window making it into the rules? Maybe in a future Stew? ... _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
Worked more than 140 stations. Antenna tuned in 1.830-1.850 segment, so I spent most time there and sometimes when left frequencie to S/P, was too difficult find free segment in 1.830-1.835 due to large number of BIG USA Guns callin CQ and working between each other local QSOs. Guys in USA maybe You find clear freq in 1.860-1.900 for local QSO? See You soon in a couple of hours to next portion :) 73, Sam IT9/LY5W @ IQ9UI _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
The DX window is a nearly completely obsolete concept for contests, now rejected by every contest sponsor except ARRL. The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee (CAC) in writing recommended discontinuing the window in the 160 contest, but that was nixed by someone in the ARRL chain of command. So the DX window in the ARRL contest is being continued in the ARRL 160 against the recommendation of their contest gurus, according to back channels, justified only by a single individual at HQ. There is no US legal basis for the window, it's not in part 97, so strictly speaking it only exists in the ARRL 160. Please note that the 160 DX window is NOT in effect for the HF band ARRL DX in February, which includes 160m in the contest bands. In the back channels the word is that the contest sponsor does not include frequency data in the submitted Cabrillo contest log, therefore the window cannot be enforced, other than for an ARRL official to volunteer to manually listen during the entire contest and penalize ALL improper usage of of the window. Since the CAC is NOT in favor of the window to start with, there are no volunteers for this, and whoever is hanging onto the window won't spend his personal time either. So the window is not enforced, and certain USA stations are starting to act accordingly. Working the DX through the din of USA stations is a completely predictable aspect of the ARRL 160. It takes serious antenna work and operating skill to be able to do it. Good stations/operators can and do work JA/VK etc. It's an adult CONTEST, not T-ball where every child has to succeed. Why make everything easy? Then the other thing is: What, exactly what, was responsible for a given station/op not working a JA? Not aiming at any particular individual, but really, really, some of the operating practices one hears could keep one from being able to work the guy across the street. There's dB's from transceivers, dB's from amps, dB's from antennas, dB's from transmission lines, dB's from antenna system considerations. People complain about not being able to work some difficult DX and then I hear about what they have up for an antenna, and the loss mitigations that they do NOT have in place. Then there are the dB's in the operators' heads, dB's between the ears I like to call it. Particularly because there are QRP operators that regularly break pileups with excellent antenna systems and extra-crispy, extra-clever operating practices, and lids operating super-stations that couldn't work the next county if their lives depended upon it, the MEASURED dB's between the ears varies at least between 0 and 24.77 dB. Since lids sometimes destroy their own equipment in the fray, the difference must exceed 24.77, and so I have fastened on 27 dB as the conservative minimum possible dB between the ears. This lends itself to rules that I heard a lot when I was a teen first breaking into radio, When some equipment isn't working, look FIRST at the operator. Or a related corollary designed to save money: Rigorously rule out the operator before sending equipment back to the manufacturer. Which logically creates the blended rule from all the above: Before complaining about the DX window, FIRST rigorously rule out the operator, then rigorously rule out the station, and only then post complaints on TopBand. 73, Guy K2AV On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 9:27 AM, Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com wrote: After playing in the ARRL DX contest in the early morning hours, it looks to me that what is *really* needed is a small DX window somewhere in the 15 kHz JA segment 1810-1825. Heck, it could even be less than 5 kHz wide. From my QTH in the central USA, I could copy JAs who were working NA stations; and some JAs spotted NA stations in the cluster. But 1810-1825 was wall-to-wall NA stations calling CQ. What are the chances of such a DX window making it into the rules? Maybe in a future Stew? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Tue, Dec 2, 2014 at 3:52 AM, Petr Ourednik indi...@xsmail.com wrote: 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 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
I end up working most of my 5-pointers (DX by ARRL standards at least) outside the supposed DX window. In e.g. CQ WW I observe some good self-segregation between loud USA running stations and the actual DX running stations. The big multi-multis seem to put their 160M run frequencies either high or low in the band out of the way of the EU CQ'ing stations. Often they all end up mostly above or mostly below the EU CQ'ing stations. This sort of self-sorting works probably works out well for everybody. And then when it comes time to work JA's they arrange themselves similarly within the JA window. In ARRL 160 or CQ 160, there's just too many running US/VE stations who are alligators, for them to have awareness of where the DX is and sort themselves. Tim N3QE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
I'm running QRP in the contest and found for some reason I can't hear much DX as other years. Lots of stateside VE contacts but just not much else from my QTH. I've only been able to make three 5 point Qs and sure QRP is big in that but I can't hear them this year using my same equipment as always, K3 HI-Z Triangular right on the ocean. I find it interesting how fast some stations fire off their CQ tests, often so fast I find replying even with my short call, they are starting a new CQ when I'm done replying. Guess they are listening for a strong signal and if its not heard instantly, they kick the machine to keep the flywheel going. Must work for them but they have to be losing on DX stations. I've made a fair amount of Q's so I'm getting my signal out but it's a personal challenge to not be able to work everyone I hear. Maybe tonight will be some different. I'm definitely having fun. Good luck to all, Gary KA1J --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
On Sat,12/6/2014 11:25 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: The band didn't open to the east coast until many hours after sunset. I rolled out at 3 am hoping to pick up the six eastern states I need for QRP WAS, and found conditions quite poor. Could get as far east only as WD5R and N0NI. Couldn't even make it with NO3M, who has great ears. OTOH, KH6LC came back right away with one call. Let's hope tonight is better. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?
After playing in the ARRL DX contest in the early morning hours, it looks to me that what is *really* needed is a small DX window somewhere in the 15 kHz JA segment 1810-1825. Heck, it could even be less than 5 kHz wide. From my QTH in the central USA, I could copy JAs who were working NA stations; and some JAs spotted NA stations in the cluster. But 1810-1825 was wall-to-wall NA stations calling CQ. Typical contest, Mike. :) What are the chances of such a DX window making it into the rules? Maybe in a future Stew? People on the coast with nothing much in front of them, where they do not have to listen through layers of QRM, determine the bandplans or windows. This makes the idea of a window or the notion of a bandplan different than the idea someone in North Dakota might form. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
On 12/6/2014 11:36 AM, Jim Brown wrote: I rolled out at 3 am hoping to pick up the six eastern states I need for QRP WAS, and found conditions quite poor. Could get as far east only as WD5R and N0NI. Couldn't even make it with NO3M, who has great ears. 73, Jim K9YC N03M and WD5R were among the handful of eastern stations I was able to work early in the night. I don't know what magic they had. N0NI (normally a beacon station) was missing in action until the band got back in shape. The early conditions were so bad I actually was afraid I would miss Iowa. I filled out my multiplier list mainly from 10 PM until midnight local. There were still a fair number of eastern stations on at 3AM local, although I had already worked nearly all of them. Thank you night owls. Rick N6RK _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
Hi guys We have a new class of station this year, few but some European stations running contest from remote station in US using European call sign, not W4/ or W7/xxx not even xxx/W4. Today with the RBN it is easy to confirm where the station is transmitting, you just need to search the call sign r down load the report with all reports and filter it using Excel. First of all , it is illegal to operate in US without a US license not mention the ethic that does not exist and the Ham radio contest aspect of the event. Forget about DCXX program the issue is real treat for all of us that love what we do in 160m. Check that small report from RBN from EA7PP yesterday night, you can verify reports up to 52db signal in Virginia RBN station and several over 40 db in US at the same time 5-15 db in Europe and sometimes up to 24 db in Europe. http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0 http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0c=ea7ppt=dx c=ea7ppt=dx just unbelievable!! 73's N4IS JC show/hide my last filters rows to show: showing spots for DX call: EA7PP search spot by callsign de dx freq cq/dxsnr speed time EA1FAQ EA7PP 1819.8 CW CQ 40 dB 26 wpm 0414z 06 Dec DL8LAS EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 19 dB 25 wpm 0414z 06 Dec DF7GB EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 15 dB 26 wpm 0414z 06 Dec LA6TPA EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 2 dB 27 wpm 0414z 06 Dec K8ND EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 38 dB 25 wpm 0413z 06 Dec KM3T EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 39 dB 26 wpm 0413z 06 Dec DF4UE EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 38 dB 27 wpm 0413z 06 Dec ON5KQ EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 25 dB 27 wpm 0413z 06 Dec NZ1UEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 39 dB 26 wpm 0412z 06 Dec EI6IZ EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 27 dB 26 wpm 0411z 06 Dec HA6M EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 14 dB 27 wpm 0411z 06 Dec F6IIT EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 35 dB 27 wpm 0411z 06 Dec OH6BG EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 22 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec DQ8Z EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 12 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec G0KTN EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 18 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec IK3STG EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 8 dB26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec W4KKN EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 44 dB 29 wpm 0410z 06 Dec G4HSO EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 15 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec DK9IPEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 26 dB 27 wpm 0410z 06 Dec SE0X EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 13 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec DL1EMYEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 26 dB 27 wpm 0410z 06 Dec OE6TZE EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 16 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec S50ARX EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 24 dB 27 wpm 0410z 06 Dec HA1VHFEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 32 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec GW8IZREA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 28 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec DL9GTBEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 28 dB 26 wpm 0410z 06 Dec NY3A EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 39 dB 26 wpm 0408z 06 Dec W8WTSEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 36 dB 26 wpm 0408z 06 Dec K1TTTEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 18 dB 27 wpm 0408z 06 Dec W8WWV EA7PP1819.7 CW CQ 36 dB 27 wpm 0408z 06 Dec DL1AMQ EA7PP1819.7 CW CQ 27 dB 27 wpm 0407z 06 Dec SK3WEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 36 dB 26 wpm 0406z 06 Dec PY1NB EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 4 dB 26 wpm 0403z 06 Dec ON5KQ EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 24 dB 26 wpm 0403z 06 Dec IK3STG EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 10 dB 27 wpm 0400z 06 Dec K8AZ EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 28 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec WZ7I EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 27 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec DQ8Z EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 8 dB26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec G4HSO EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 15 dB 27 wpm 0400z 06 Dec KM3T EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 28 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec DK9IP EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 17 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec F6IIT EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 35 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec SE0X EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 13 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec DL1EMYEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 29 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec DL8LAS EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 16 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec OE6TZE EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 11 dB 26 wpm 0400z 06 Dec HA1VHFEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 20 dB 27 wpm 0400z 06 Dec GW8IZREA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 29 dB 27 wpm 0400z 06 Dec DF4UE EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 25 dB 27 wpm 0400z 06 Dec EI6IZ EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 31 dB 27 wpm 0359z 06 Dec DL9GTBEA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 16 dB 26 wpm 0359z 06 Dec OH6BG EA7PP 1819.7 CW CQ 14 dB 26
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
Hi Saulus Yes, I did it, Actually you had one of the best signals from Europe all night long. You can see the HUGE difference, few US reports and lots of European RBN , some goods report from 2 US RBN only once, like 33db 6z, probably SR peak , I can see one from W4KKN 9db , Huge difference from 52dB. You can download the raw data report from any time and any day for the last 5 years here http://www.reversebeacon.net/raw_data/ Regards JC N4IS show/hide my last filters rows to show: showing spots for DX call: IQ9UI search spot by callsign de dx freq cq/dxsnr speed time S50ARX IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 0 dB 24 wpm 0619z 06 Dec HA5PP IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 13 dB 24 wpm 0618z 06 Dec DQ8Z IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 5 dB 24 wpm 0617z 06 Dec G0KTN IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 8 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec DL9GTB IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 5 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec SE0X IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 12 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec DF7GB IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 7 dB 23 wpm 0616z 06 Dec DL8LAS IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 5 dB 25 wpm 0616z 06 Dec SK3WIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 15 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec GW8IZR IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 13 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec OE6TZE IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 20 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec EI6IZ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 16 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec HA6M IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 15 dB 24 wpm 0616z 06 Dec HA1VHFIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 18 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec DF4UE IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 23 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec DL1EMYIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 22 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec IK3STG IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 15 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec ON5KQ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 21 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec DL1AMQIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 16 dB 24 wpm 0615z 06 Dec EA1FAQ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 19 dB 24 wpm 0614z 06 Dec DL1REM IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 25 dB 24 wpm 0612z 06 Dec DQ8Z IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 6 dB 24 wpm 0607z 06 Dec W8WWVIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 33 dB 24 wpm 0607z 06 Dec KS4XQ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 33 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec G0KTN IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 13 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec SE0X IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 15 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec DL9GTB IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 9 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec NY3A IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 27 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec GW8IZRIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 16 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec OE6TZE IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 22 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec EI6IZ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 25 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec DF7GB IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 10 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec HA6M IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 18 dB 24 wpm 0606z 06 Dec WZ7I IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 26 dB 23 wpm 0606z 06 Dec HA1VHFIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 29 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec DF4UE IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 19 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec DL1EMY IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 20 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec DL8LAS IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 7 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec IK3STG IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 21 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec SK3WIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 20 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec DL1REM IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 24 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec ON5KQ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 19 dB 24 wpm 0605z 06 Dec K8AZ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 27 dB 24 wpm 0603z 06 Dec F6IIT IQ9UI 3661.4 CW CQ [LoTW] 5 dB 24 wpm 0559z 06 Dec NZ1UIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 4 dB 24 wpm 0558z 06 Dec W4KKN IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 9 dB 23 wpm 0557z 06 Dec G4HSO IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 3 dB 23 wpm 0557z 06 Dec W4AX IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 7 dB 24 wpm 0557z 06 Dec DQ8Z IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 5 dB 24 wpm 0557z 06 Dec K1TTTIQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 6 dB 24 wpm 0556z 06 Dec KS4XQ IQ9UI 1830.7 CW CQ [LoTW] 8 dB 24 wpm 0556z 06 Dec DL8LAS IQ9UI 1830.7
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
On Sat,12/6/2014 11:56 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: N03M and WD5R were among the handful of eastern stations I was able to work early in the night. I don't know what magic they had. N0NI All three of these stations have SERIOUS RX antennas that point this way. google to find NO3M's RX system. Quite impressive. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: EA7PP - Remote
Hi all, I have just subscribed to this reflector- A friend of mine told me there was something about EA7PP's operation during this w/e 160m contest. Someone suggested EA7PP uses a remote in the US as his signal was on the RBN outstanding. More than being an offending remark it's a compliment. We spent yesterday the whole evening at EA7PP's contest station setting a modest EWE pointing to US and built in site a receiver protecting device. Set up is very simple, an inverted L up to 18 metres on a fiber glass ple and then about 21 metres horizontal to the tower (23m) . Only 2 tuned elevated radials circling the plot as it is very small. Soil is very conductive and it has been raining a lot during the last couple of weeks. This is a rural area, almost no cellphone network coverage. Internet connection is poor, a 4 miles 2.3 GHz link to a home in town, as the good 5 GHz was damaged during a storm. The contest started last night and I was still soldering wires to the protection boxes while listening to some good East Coast signal. I wrote a message to Pepe to his WhastApp. When he wakes up from his siesta first thing he will ask me is what the hell is a remote? Zé Carlos, muito grato pelos elogios, our tiny contest farm works! it's encouraging. 73 Jose, EA7KW _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
On Sat,12/6/2014 12:30 PM, Bro Bill wrote: What 6 states do you need? Thanks for asking. CT, VT, WV, KY, SC, and MS 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
Not sure what happened on your end, but I had you in the log, Jim. Sure, it was a struggle, but got your call and exchange fine after plenty of repeats. Guess we'll try again this morning! Back to it. 73 Eric NO3M On 12/06/2014 02:36 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On Sat,12/6/2014 11:25 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: The band didn't open to the east coast until many hours after sunset. I rolled out at 3 am hoping to pick up the six eastern states I need for QRP WAS, and found conditions quite poor. Could get as far east only as WD5R and N0NI. Couldn't even make it with NO3M, who has great ears. OTOH, KH6LC came back right away with one call. Let's hope tonight is better. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions
On 2014-12-06 13:57, Jim Brown wrote: On Sat,12/6/2014 11:56 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: N03M and WD5R were among the handful of eastern stations I was able to work early in the night. I don't know what magic they had. N0NI All three of these stations have SERIOUS RX antennas that point this way. google to find NO3M's RX system. Quite impressive. 73, Jim K9YC I'm sure that helped, but these were among the few stations that could even be heard on the coast. The other stations were simply not audible here early on. Rick N6RK _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EA7PP - Remote
Hi Jose That was me. I was testing my new RX antennas comparing signals from Europe during the contest . WOW you guys have the best site for 160m in Europe, I was impressed with the signal and the reports on RBN, really signal as local signal in US. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jose Ramon Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 5:29 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: EA7PP - Remote Hi all, I have just subscribed to this reflector- A friend of mine told me there was something about EA7PP's operation during this w/e 160m contest. Someone suggested EA7PP uses a remote in the US as his signal was on the RBN outstanding. More than being an offending remark it's a compliment. We spent yesterday the whole evening at EA7PP's contest station setting a modest EWE pointing to US and built in site a receiver protecting device. Set up is very simple, an inverted L up to 18 metres on a fiber glass ple and then about 21 metres horizontal to the tower (23m) . Only 2 tuned elevated radials circling the plot as it is very small. Soil is very conductive and it has been raining a lot during the last couple of weeks. This is a rural area, almost no cellphone network coverage. Internet connection is poor, a 4 miles 2.3 GHz link to a home in town, as the good 5 GHz was damaged during a storm. The contest started last night and I was still soldering wires to the protection boxes while listening to some good East Coast signal. I wrote a message to Pepe to his WhastApp. When he wakes up from his siesta first thing he will ask me is what the hell is a remote? Zé Carlos, muito grato pelos elogios, our tiny contest farm works! it's encouraging. 73 Jose, EA7KW _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EA7PP - Remote
Hi Jose Carlos. Thanks for the report and compliments. The site is indeed excellent, not being costal, 360 degrees clear shot and a good conductivity soil. EA7IYI is now at the site repairing the internet 5 GHz link, now Pepe can run the remote back! (haha). For the next ARRL DX contests we'd like to add 2 more elevated radials to the inverted L, no room for more wires. CU next weekend at the 10m contest, I'll be single op. unlimited, if the internet access works! 73 Jose, EA7KW 2014-12-07 0:08 GMT+01:00 JC n...@comcast.net: Hi Jose That was me. I was testing my new RX antennas comparing signals from Europe during the contest . WOW you guys have the best site for 160m in Europe, I was impressed with the signal and the reports on RBN, really signal as local signal in US. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jose Ramon Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 5:29 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: EA7PP - Remote Hi all, I have just subscribed to this reflector- A friend of mine told me there was something about EA7PP's operation during this w/e 160m contest. Someone suggested EA7PP uses a remote in the US as his signal was on the RBN outstanding. More than being an offending remark it's a compliment. We spent yesterday the whole evening at EA7PP's contest station setting a modest EWE pointing to US and built in site a receiver protecting device. Set up is very simple, an inverted L up to 18 metres on a fiber glass ple and then about 21 metres horizontal to the tower (23m) . Only 2 tuned elevated radials circling the plot as it is very small. Soil is very conductive and it has been raining a lot during the last couple of weeks. This is a rural area, almost no cellphone network coverage. Internet connection is poor, a 4 miles 2.3 GHz link to a home in town, as the good 5 GHz was damaged during a storm. The contest started last night and I was still soldering wires to the protection boxes while listening to some good East Coast signal. I wrote a message to Pepe to his WhastApp. When he wakes up from his siesta first thing he will ask me is what the hell is a remote? Zé Carlos, muito grato pelos elogios, our tiny contest farm works! it's encouraging. 73 Jose, EA7KW _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EA7PP - Remote
Looking at current signals here in rightpondia K1LZ is about the loudest signal from leftpondia at about 20 dB peak above my noise floor and fading severely. EA7PP is a good 20 dB higher and is much more steady, what you would expect from a closer signal. I'd say he's got a good efficient antenna and a shedload of power, unlike my modest 100W to a 5% at most efficient inverted L. Condx seem much poorer than last year, unfortunately. I may go to bed early tonight. Jose Ramon jr.hie...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Jose Carlos. Thanks for the report and compliments. The site is indeed excellent, not being costal, 360 degrees clear shot and a good conductivity soil. EA7IYI is now at the site repairing the internet 5 GHz link, now Pepe can run the remote back! (haha). For the next ARRL DX contests we'd like to add 2 more elevated radials to the inverted L, no room for more wires. CU next weekend at the 10m contest, I'll be single op. unlimited, if the internet access works! 73 Jose, EA7KW 2014-12-07 0:08 GMT+01:00 JC n...@comcast.net: Hi Jose That was me. I was testing my new RX antennas comparing signals from Europe during the contest . WOW you guys have the best site for 160m in Europe, I was impressed with the signal and the reports on RBN, really signal as local signal in US. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jose Ramon Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 5:29 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: EA7PP - Remote Hi all, I have just subscribed to this reflector- A friend of mine told me there was something about EA7PP's operation during this w/e 160m contest. Someone suggested EA7PP uses a remote in the US as his signal was on the RBN outstanding. More than being an offending remark it's a compliment. We spent yesterday the whole evening at EA7PP's contest station setting a modest EWE pointing to US and built in site a receiver protecting device. Set up is very simple, an inverted L up to 18 metres on a fiber glass ple and then about 21 metres horizontal to the tower (23m) . Only 2 tuned elevated radials circling the plot as it is very small. Soil is very conductive and it has been raining a lot during the last couple of weeks. This is a rural area, almost no cellphone network coverage. Internet connection is poor, a 4 miles 2.3 GHz link to a home in town, as the good 5 GHz was damaged during a storm. The contest started last night and I was still soldering wires to the protection boxes while listening to some good East Coast signal. I wrote a message to Pepe to his WhastApp. When he wakes up from his siesta first thing he will ask me is what the hell is a remote? Zé Carlos, muito grato pelos elogios, our tiny contest farm works! it's encouraging. 73 Jose, EA7KW _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband -- Brian D G3VGZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JR
Jim: Perhaps you somehow misread things. We were prepared with multiple RX antennas, preamplifiers, multiple transmit antennas tribanders. flooded RG6 , remote switching and lots of coax...but because of Haiti difficulties (of which there are many) our tower was not in place and our container did not arrive. This caused a last minute change and HH2JR was very kind and offered us the use of his nice station. We are all indebted to him (again since he was the hero in the Haitian earthquake) I would note that in the past year I have on several occasions invited folks on this reflector to join me for a dedicated topband dxpedition to Haiti. Noone was available. Traveling alone I carried radio, amplifier and supplies for both ham radio and our work project. Without doubt I could have used help. But the RX problem was not due to lack of planning. It was due to the change to a city lot QTH. Without the kindness of HH2JR there would have been zero topband QSOs and very few contacts on high bands. I know the need is great and people were disappointed but we worked many of our contest friends on 6 bands. Its OK to note that we failed to meet the need. We know that and we know we had serious QRN issues. The alternative was not to operate at all I was aware before the contest that we would be unable to work EU. I expected 10-12 stations in the Caribbean. In the end we worked more than that, we worked 180 stations through the noise. During the CQ contest we prioritized 160 over other bands. We again invite interested topbanders to help plan a future 160m dxpedition to Haiti that is not part of a contest. The purpose for my earlier Email (which I now wish I had not sent) was to ask if our friends in EU if they heard us and how was our signal. That is all I wanted to know. And I apologize for busting our callsign, and other mistakes that I may have made. I am still recovering from an extremely difficult and very stressful trip. My apologies to all. Vy 73 Dale - N3BNA P.S. I appreciate your offer of assistance and will let you know if we need anything. At this time we need operators to go in a non-contest dxpedition sometime in the future. With lots of planning. From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Saturday, December 6, 2014 4:11 AM Subject: Re: Topband: topband report from 4V1JB On Sat,12/6/2014 12:56 AM, Jan Erik Holm wrote: Wow 20 over 9 noise floor, if I had known I never would have called you, waist of power and time. Any team that goes to a location, whatever it, is, unprepared to address local noise issues is incompetent and ill prepared. I'm willing to help, but that's part of planning for any such effort. It's at least as important as what radios you bring and what antennas you plan to use. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Haiti on 160M this weekend?, HC2RMT/8, 9K2HN
Was nice to work you Tim. I specifically remember our QSO, but I didnt know you had just begun to call. Vy 73, Dale - N3BNA From: Tim Shoppa tsho...@gmail.com To: topBand List topband@contesting.com Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 10:37 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Haiti on 160M this weekend?, HC2RMT/8, 9K2HN Thanks to everyone for their advice on Haiti! Within a minute of my first CQ on 160M, I was called by 4V1JR from Haiti!!! 160M was noise free for me both nights in CQ WW, complete absence of any atmospheric noise, and was just superb for me to hear EU Saturday night in CQ WW. The biggest surprise was working loud and easy A71BX. Tim N3QE On Wed, Nov 26, 2014 at 9:52 AM, Tim Shoppa tsho...@gmail.com wrote: I note a lot of Haiti activations for CQ WW. Are any known to be active on 160M? Also looking forward to V26K on 160M as it would be a new one for me on 160M. Last night HC2RMT/8 had a wonderfully loud signal on 80M and 160M but may not have been hearing too well. (Or maybe that was just them practicing in simplex.) I was hearing 9K2HN jway above ESP on 160M last night and amazingly loud (I mean, pretty much as loud as any local!) on 80M. Tim N3QE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 +
Hello Charlie Paul, I'm using a single vertical wire Marconi T with a pair of 6 wire cages for the tophat. Each cage starts at a single point at the vertical top, and has 3 foot dowel spreaders at the far end. The reason is strictly to add more toploading in a smaller space. I needed another vertical to use in a phased array, but there were no suitable tree locations (I don't have any towers). So the vertical is suspended between two trees which were not far enough apart for resonance. EZNEC modelling provided the specifics. Besides, it looks vintage... Brian K8BHZ -Original Message- From: Charlie Cunningham Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 9:49 PM To: 'Paul Christensen' ; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + Thanks for all the info and the memories, Paul!! 73, Charlie, K4OTV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 9:47 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: EZNEC 5.0 + Not sure that I can picture just what you are describing, Paul. Even though, I wasn't born until 1944, I've explored just about every type of antenna and I've modeled an awful lot of them. See the image in the link below: After rotating the image in your browser, note that the feed to the horizontal hat is fanned to form the vertical radiator. What looks like a complex antenna is nothing more than the classic T but with the horizontal hat spread out across six conductors. This was a very popular antenna during the spark-gap era. http://tinyurl.com/kdzkt2x The inverted L form of this antenna simply moved the center fan off to one side. This was typically done on smaller city lots as only one additional support was needed if you had a multi-story home. Both forms show up regularly on the pages of QST prior to about 1925. The famous 9ZN antenna was installed on the property of the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. After college, I lived across the street from the hotel when I was working for RKO Radio back in the mid '80s. What you see is really just a super wide conductor for the vertical radiator. This was not commonly used. The impact of the station was probably not so much from the vertical radiator as it was from attention paid to the extensive ground system. Here's a photo of the 9ZN antenna and ham shack taken around 1920. This is exactly where the Zenith brand began. https://musiccityvintageradio.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/house.jpg One of the more impressive antennas in the early '20s was that designed for 1BCG for the transatlantic tests. That antenna used a circular counterpoise as an elevated ground system. The vertical extends straight up from the shack roof. W2PA has assembled a nice page of information about the station and its operators. http://w2pa.net/HRH/crossings-iii-accolades/ Paul, W9AC --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Finishing QRP Topband WAS
I still need VT, CT, WV, SC, MS, and KY. I've heard N8II, W1QK, NN1N, N4OGW all banging in pretty good. W1SJ and W4OC were pretty weak. Heard someone in KY pretty good. I've set the alarm for 5:30 am EST, which is the beginning the best times for these states, and will hang around until a half hour or so after sunrise to the east. Hope someone will be around to fill some slots. 73, Jim K9YC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
