Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress

[Patrick Martin]

A bit more checking and I think I may get the height for the Super KAZ, even if 
the bottom of it is 7-8 feet off the ground and KAZ said I could use a ratio of 
1:5 rather than 1:4. Has anyone used a Super KAZ on the Pacific Coast? I have a 
straight shot less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean here and the EWE's work 
well. If the Super KAZ will out perform my EWE, that will be amazing as that 
EWE has been jewel for me. But again, it will be a while as it has been wet 
nearly every day for weeks and the next week or more continues to be stormy and 
wet. It has been a VERY wet Winter. We have broken all sorts of records on 
rainfall, both here and even in Portland. A few weeks ago we did have 2-3 days 
that were fairly dry. 

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager

> From: charle...@msn.com
> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 02:33:31 +
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress
> 
> 
> Try a Flag, Pennant or Delta (Kaz), preferably the latter.
> 
> Chuck
> 
> From: IRCA  on behalf of Patrick Martin 
> 
> Sent: Monday, March 7, 2016 1:56 AM
> To: IRCA
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress
> 
> Chuck,
> 
> Both John Bryant and I felt that the EWE had coastal properties. They work 
> well for me, but I am not against trying something new. After all I have a 
> stretch that runs about 100- 125 feet running East/West. I did try out a K9AY 
> some years ago that did well but had low gain. I logged two new lp Filipinos 
> I had never logged before or since. The wet soil here, being a mile from the 
> Pacific is briny.  It is supposed to be fresh water, but there is still a 
> salt taste to it. I always figured it got some of the salt from the ocean. 
> Any suggestions on what I might put up instead of a EWE?
> 
> Patrick
> 
> Patrick Martin
> Seaside OR
> KGED QSL Manager
> 
> > From: charle...@msn.com
> > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2016 18:59:19 +
> > Subject: Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress
> >
> > Patrick:
> >
> > You can't use Colin's box. Modifications would have to be made to it and to 
> > your transformer box. Perhaps the next version of Colin's box will have a 
> > bit of flexibility.
> > I'd scrap the EWE: it has by far the poorest antenna pattern in the 
> > EWE-Flag-Pennant-Delta (Kaz) group. Plus, it's ground dependence means a 
> > bit of change to the termination as seasons vary the soil characteristics.
> > Wet soil doesn't generate voltages all by itself. It might corrode things, 
> > but that's a different story.
> >
> > Chuck
> >
> > 
> > From: IRCA  on behalf of Patrick Martin 
> > 
> > Sent: Sunday, March 6, 2016 5:49 PM
> > To: IRCA
> > Subject: Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress
> >
> > Chuck and Colin,
> >
> > So it looks like the best way is not to use this for the EWE the way it is 
> > designed? I may have to build a different antenna, one that is floating, a 
> > K9AY, a Flag, or a KAZ antenna?  Any form of a "loop" is my best antenna to 
> > use? I was concerned about any form of voltage/current in the ground. Our 
> > soil is swampy and very wet most of the year. The grounding always enhances 
> > the TP reception here, so I like to use it. John Bryant and I always used 
> > to discuss that, as in OK it never made any difference.
> >   My EWE's are all Ground connected. At the far end is a control (2-3K pot) 
> > that runs between a series of ground rods and the end of the EWE for 
> > termination. I peak the pot for a null and leave it.
> >
> >
> > Patrick
> >
> > Patrick Martin
> > Seaside OR
> > KGED QSL Manager
> >
> > > From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> > > Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2016 22:00:57 -0800
> > > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > > Subject: Re: [IRCA] The VACTROL progress
> > >
> > > Mark Connelly or one of the guru's likely has a better answer - I have 
> > > been using a very vanilla arrangement with the power coax going directly 
> > > to the termination -
> > > I do not think you could run the ground side of the connection via ground 
> > > rods if that is what you are suggestion - at least with the 9-10 V source 
> > > from my Vactrol supply.
> > >
> > > Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC
> > >
> > > > On Mar 5, 2016, at 8:37 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Colin,
> > > >
> > > > As you know I am going to be using this on a EWE, with one side of the 
> > > > control to a series of ground rods and the other to the end of the EWE. 
> > > > Does this matter? There may be some current in the ground as the soil 
> > > > is so wet here and I live next to a swamp. I plan a new Western EWE at 
> > > > 20X115X20 in the backyard and I will be using the Vactrol there.
> > > >   On another note, I have that SW EWE I have had since 1981. I cannot 
> > > > run a cable through the land over to the end of it because 

Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Patrick Martin]

Hi Walt,

I used to be like a monkey, climbing tree left and right, but a 67 with the 
boots I wear, climbing trees is a bit harder now days. I do have a slingshot, 
but I am not too good with it. I could give it a try. I will wait until the 
weather is better. I still climb ladders to clean out gutters and the like, but 
I do think about John Bryant often when I do. I can get a wire up 20-30 feet 
without much effort, but I do not know the best height for the Super KAZ. I 
have the ladder as well as a 10 foot PVC pole and I can push a wire over a 
branch too, but that is about at 20-25 feet. I like to have a weight on the end 
so the weight will fall down on the other side, so I can get it through too. 

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager

> Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 05:14:58 +
> From: can...@gmail.com
> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> 
> Patrick, I hear your trepidation over heights.  Have you considered
> alternate ways to launch wires to the apex?  At my DX cottage in Masset, I
> have many trees 100' or more in height.  No way I ever want to climb
> those.  A couple of years ago, I bought a sling shot antenna launcher which
> has proven to be incredibly easy and useful in putting up several antennae
> high up in the trees.  Just a thought...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC
> 
> On Monday, March 7, 2016, Neil Kazaross  wrote:
> 
> > Patrick, these things will still work OK with a 5:1 aspect ratio. Give me
> > an idea of how high you can get the apex to be SAFELY !! So I can double
> > check with EZNEC. 73 KAZ
> >
> > On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 9:50 PM, Patrick Martin  > > wrote:
> >
> > > Colin,
> > >
> > > My first plan was to go with a EWE, but I guess there may be some issues,
> > > so I decided to go with the Super KAZ. KAZ wrote me wondering if our
> > soggy
> > > soil would affect the antenna with the bottom line being on the ground.
> > He
> > > may have a point there. I could raise it up 7-8 feet, but then I would
> > have
> > > to raise the apex also the bottom wire would ran close to the Eastern
> > > Beverage, as they are running the same direction, so would it affect the
> > > beverage? I have a lot of room, but the land is also loaded with a few of
> > > my other antennas.
> > >
> > > Patrick
> > >
> > > Patrick Martin
> > > Seaside OR
> > > KGED QSL Manager
> > >
> > > > From: coffeecan...@gmail.com 
> > > > Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 19:39:55 -0800
> > > > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> > > >
> > > > No worries - anyone I recognize on IRCA has easy credit with me!
> > > >
> > > > From encouragement from Chuck Hutton, I should start flirting with some
> > > different Opto isolators
> > > >
> > > > And maybe some added features.
> > > >
> > > > Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC
> > > >
> > > > > On Mar 7, 2016, at 7:32 PM, Patrick Martin  > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Colin,
> > > > >
> > > > > If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque
> > > by the end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across
> > > the border, is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I
> > would
> > > think 3 or 4 days at the most.
> > > > >
> > > > > Patrick Martin
> > > > > Seaside OR
> > > > > KGED QSL Manager
> > > > >
> > > > >> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
> > > > >> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com 
> > > > >> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > > >> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> > > > >> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> > > > >> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know
> > > ya! :-)
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Exciting stuff huh!
> > > > >>
> > > > >>> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  > >
> > > wrote:
> > > > >>>
> > > > >>> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the
> > room
> > > in
> > > > >>> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees,
> > there
> > > is one
> > > > >>> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the
> > > Western
> > > > >>> Super KAZ looks good.
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> --
> > > > >> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
> > > > >>  and DXer.ca  -
> > > > >> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
> > > > >> ___
> > > > >> IRCA mailing list
> > > > >> IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > > >> http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> > > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> > > IRCA, its editors, publishing 

[IRCA] site for UK radio station information

[Nick Hall-Patch]

Following on from reception of stations from the UK here a couple of 
nights agothis site might be of interest to those who hear UK DX:


http://www.frequencyfinder.org.uk/ which includes a detailed by 
frequency listing of AM stations


There is an analysis (opinion) of the future of AM radio in the UK 
here:  http://www.frequencyfinder.org.uk/Opinion_AM.pdf


very interesting what he says about the higher power 
stations.   Might want to log them soon...


best wishes,

Nick

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[IRCA] TP 7 Mar Victoria version

[Nick Hall-Patch]

The geomagnetic upset definitely had its way the band this morning.


pretty darn good audio (all of it understandable by a native speaker, 
at least briefly):


pretty darn unlikely you would think, but 3LO briefly came close



Reasonable audio  at  times during the period (much of it 
understandable by a native speaker, though often battling w/splash or noise):


774 3LO  man in DU English talking to another man about sports? 
1418UT, //828.This was assuming that NHK2 has not hired two DU 
English speakers and put them together, hi.A couple of  words 
were  also heard  in // on 612, clinching it.







not so reasonable audio, occasional words or phrases in splash or 
noise could be understood by a native speaker:



the above passing through


Burbles in the splatter and noise (if lucky, language might be 
guessed at by cadence of talk, or parallel established by changes in 
talk or music)


612 4QR man talking //774 1419UT, obviously this was our sunrise enhancement
828 3GI two men talking //774 1418UT


Strongish het, no or "near imaginary" audio (either undermodulated or 
ravaged by splatter)


  702 738 837

best wishes,

Nick

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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Walter Salmaniw]

Patrick, I hear your trepidation over heights.  Have you considered
alternate ways to launch wires to the apex?  At my DX cottage in Masset, I
have many trees 100' or more in height.  No way I ever want to climb
those.  A couple of years ago, I bought a sling shot antenna launcher which
has proven to be incredibly easy and useful in putting up several antennae
high up in the trees.  Just a thought...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC

On Monday, March 7, 2016, Neil Kazaross  wrote:

> Patrick, these things will still work OK with a 5:1 aspect ratio. Give me
> an idea of how high you can get the apex to be SAFELY !! So I can double
> check with EZNEC. 73 KAZ
>
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 9:50 PM, Patrick Martin  > wrote:
>
> > Colin,
> >
> > My first plan was to go with a EWE, but I guess there may be some issues,
> > so I decided to go with the Super KAZ. KAZ wrote me wondering if our
> soggy
> > soil would affect the antenna with the bottom line being on the ground.
> He
> > may have a point there. I could raise it up 7-8 feet, but then I would
> have
> > to raise the apex also the bottom wire would ran close to the Eastern
> > Beverage, as they are running the same direction, so would it affect the
> > beverage? I have a lot of room, but the land is also loaded with a few of
> > my other antennas.
> >
> > Patrick
> >
> > Patrick Martin
> > Seaside OR
> > KGED QSL Manager
> >
> > > From: coffeecan...@gmail.com 
> > > Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 19:39:55 -0800
> > > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> > >
> > > No worries - anyone I recognize on IRCA has easy credit with me!
> > >
> > > From encouragement from Chuck Hutton, I should start flirting with some
> > different Opto isolators
> > >
> > > And maybe some added features.
> > >
> > > Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC
> > >
> > > > On Mar 7, 2016, at 7:32 PM, Patrick Martin  > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Colin,
> > > >
> > > > If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque
> > by the end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across
> > the border, is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I
> would
> > think 3 or 4 days at the most.
> > > >
> > > > Patrick Martin
> > > > Seaside OR
> > > > KGED QSL Manager
> > > >
> > > >> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
> > > >> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com 
> > > >> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > >> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> > > >>
> > > >> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> > > >> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> > > >> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know
> > ya! :-)
> > > >>
> > > >> Exciting stuff huh!
> > > >>
> > > >>> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  >
> > wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the
> room
> > in
> > > >>> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees,
> there
> > is one
> > > >>> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the
> > Western
> > > >>> Super KAZ looks good.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> --
> > > >> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
> > > >>  and DXer.ca  -
> > > >> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
> > > >> ___
> > > >> IRCA mailing list
> > > >> IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > >> http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > > >>
> > > >> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
> > > >>
> > > >> For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
> > > >>
> > > >> To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > >
> > > > ___
> > > > IRCA mailing list
> > > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > > >
> > > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
> > > >
> > > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
> > > >
> > > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > >
> > > ___
> > > IRCA mailing list
> > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 
> > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > >
> > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> > original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> > IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or 

Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Neil Kazaross]

Patrick, these things will still work OK with a 5:1 aspect ratio. Give me
an idea of how high you can get the apex to be SAFELY !! So I can double
check with EZNEC. 73 KAZ

On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 9:50 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:

> Colin,
>
> My first plan was to go with a EWE, but I guess there may be some issues,
> so I decided to go with the Super KAZ. KAZ wrote me wondering if our soggy
> soil would affect the antenna with the bottom line being on the ground. He
> may have a point there. I could raise it up 7-8 feet, but then I would have
> to raise the apex also the bottom wire would ran close to the Eastern
> Beverage, as they are running the same direction, so would it affect the
> beverage? I have a lot of room, but the land is also loaded with a few of
> my other antennas.
>
> Patrick
>
> Patrick Martin
> Seaside OR
> KGED QSL Manager
>
> > From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> > Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 19:39:55 -0800
> > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> >
> > No worries - anyone I recognize on IRCA has easy credit with me!
> >
> > From encouragement from Chuck Hutton, I should start flirting with some
> different Opto isolators
> >
> > And maybe some added features.
> >
> > Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC
> >
> > > On Mar 7, 2016, at 7:32 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> > >
> > > Colin,
> > >
> > > If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque
> by the end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across
> the border, is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I would
> think 3 or 4 days at the most.
> > >
> > > Patrick Martin
> > > Seaside OR
> > > KGED QSL Manager
> > >
> > >> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
> > >> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> > >> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > >> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> > >>
> > >> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> > >> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> > >> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know
> ya! :-)
> > >>
> > >> Exciting stuff huh!
> > >>
> > >>> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin 
> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room
> in
> > >>> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there
> is one
> > >>> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the
> Western
> > >>> Super KAZ looks good.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
> > >>  and DXer.ca  -
> > >> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
> > >> ___
> > >> IRCA mailing list
> > >> IRCA@hard-core-dx.com
> > >> http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > >>
> > >> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
> > >>
> > >> For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
> > >>
> > >> To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > >
> > > ___
> > > IRCA mailing list
> > > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com
> > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> > >
> > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
> > >
> > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
> > >
> > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> > >
> > ___
> > IRCA mailing list
> > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com
> > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
> >
> > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
> >
> > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
> >
> > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> >
>
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> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
>
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>
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>
>
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Patrick Martin]

Colin,

My first plan was to go with a EWE, but I guess there may be some issues, so I 
decided to go with the Super KAZ. KAZ wrote me wondering if our soggy soil 
would affect the antenna with the bottom line being on the ground. He may have 
a point there. I could raise it up 7-8 feet, but then I would have to raise the 
apex also the bottom wire would ran close to the Eastern Beverage, as they are 
running the same direction, so would it affect the beverage? I have a lot of 
room, but the land is also loaded with a few of my other antennas.

Patrick

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager

> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 19:39:55 -0800
> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> 
> No worries - anyone I recognize on IRCA has easy credit with me!
> 
> From encouragement from Chuck Hutton, I should start flirting with some 
> different Opto isolators
> 
> And maybe some added features.
> 
> Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC
> 
> > On Mar 7, 2016, at 7:32 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> > 
> > Colin,
> > 
> > If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque by 
> > the end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across the 
> > border, is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I would 
> > think 3 or 4 days at the most. 
> > 
> > Patrick Martin
> > Seaside OR
> > KGED QSL Manager
> > 
> >> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
> >> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> >> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> >> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> >> 
> >> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> >> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> >> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya! 
> >> :-)
> >> 
> >> Exciting stuff huh!
> >> 
> >>> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> >>> 
> >>> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
> >>> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is 
> >>> one
> >>> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the 
> >>> Western
> >>> Super KAZ looks good.
> >> 
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
> >>  and DXer.ca  -
> >> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
> >> ___
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Patrick Martin]

KAZ,

I was wondering the same thing about the soggy ground. How high the apex, 
depending on how I can get the wire up there. I can try and climb the tree, but 
the tree behind the house is easier to climb. The branches are in a better 
spot, than this tree in the center. At 67, I am not too thrilled to take 
chances. I did re-roof my shed a couple years back at 10 feet off the ground, 
but my knees paid for it for a week or so. However, I can climb the ladder a 
bit and with a 10 feet piece of PVC pipe, push the wire over a branch, but of 
course there is that limit of 20-25 feet. I can throw the wire over the 
branches, with a weight tied on the end too. How high do I really need to go, 
if 7-8 feet off the ground, for the bottom wire?

Patrick

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager

> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 21:04:13 -0600
> From: neilka...@gmail.com
> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> 
> Patrick, how high can you make that apex in the tree?
> 
> However, with that Vactrol, if you can get a good null with the bottom wire
> on the ground, it may be worth a try that way, but I fear your commonly
> soggy ground. I'd feel better about it 7 ft up. But try it on the ground
> first prior to installing any PVC for burial.
> 
> 73 KAZ
> 
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 8:52 PM, R. Colin Newell 
> wrote:
> 
> > Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> > Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> > Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya!
> > :-)
> >
> > Exciting stuff huh!
> >
> > On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> >
> > > I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
> > > the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is
> > one
> > > nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the
> > Western
> > > Super KAZ looks good.
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
> >  and DXer.ca  -
> > VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
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> >
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> >
> >
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[coffee_canuck]

No worries - anyone I recognize on IRCA has easy credit with me!

>From encouragement from Chuck Hutton, I should start flirting with some 
>different Opto isolators

And maybe some added features.

Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC

> On Mar 7, 2016, at 7:32 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> 
> Colin,
> 
> If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque by the 
> end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across the 
> border, is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I would think 
> 3 or 4 days at the most. 
> 
> Patrick Martin
> Seaside OR
> KGED QSL Manager
> 
>> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
>> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
>> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
>> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
>> 
>> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
>> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
>> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya! :-)
>> 
>> Exciting stuff huh!
>> 
>>> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
>>> 
>>> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
>>> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is one
>>> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the Western
>>> Super KAZ looks good.
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
>>  and DXer.ca  -
>> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
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>> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Patrick Martin]

Colin,

If you lived on this side or the border, you would have had my cheque by the 
end of last week, but depending on how long it takes to get across the border, 
is anyone's guess. hi. At 180 air miles from Victoria, I would think 3 or 4 
days at the most. 

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager

> Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 18:52:23 -0800
> From: coffeecan...@gmail.com
> To: irca@hard-core-dx.com
> Subject: Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ
> 
> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya! :-)
> 
> Exciting stuff huh!
> 
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
> 
> > I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
> > the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is one
> > nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the Western
> > Super KAZ looks good.
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
>  and DXer.ca  -
> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[Neil Kazaross]

Patrick, how high can you make that apex in the tree?

However, with that Vactrol, if you can get a good null with the bottom wire
on the ground, it may be worth a try that way, but I fear your commonly
soggy ground. I'd feel better about it 7 ft up. But try it on the ground
first prior to installing any PVC for burial.

73 KAZ

On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 8:52 PM, R. Colin Newell 
wrote:

> Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
> Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
> Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya!
> :-)
>
> Exciting stuff huh!
>
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:
>
> > I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
> > the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is
> one
> > nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the
> Western
> > Super KAZ looks good.
> >
>
>
> --
> Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
>  and DXer.ca  -
> VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
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Re: [IRCA] Super KAZ

[R. Colin Newell]

Shipped out 2 VACTROL sets today, one set to Scotland...
Will get yours and Bill's ready to go out tomorrow -
Have not received checks from you guys yet - but that is OK - I know ya! :-)

Exciting stuff huh!

On Mon, Mar 7, 2016 at 6:42 PM, Patrick Martin  wrote:

> I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in
> the backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is one
> nearly in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the Western
> Super KAZ looks good.
>


-- 
Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
 and DXer.ca  -
VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
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[IRCA] Super KAZ

[Patrick Martin]

I went out when I got home this evening to look and measure the room in the 
backyard. It is about 110 feet or so and the row of trees, there is one nearly 
in the middle, give or take a few feet, so the plans for the Western Super KAZ 
looks good. Instead of running the line on the ground, I think I will partial 
bury that line through a small piece of flexible piece of PVC type piping, it 
will be about even with the ground. That way no one will trip over it, if 
walking through the yard including animals.  It will be a bit more work, but 
safer. Either that or 7 feet off the ground, but then I would have to raise the 
peak of the KAZ. As it is, coming down on each end, I will run the wire down 
the side of a tree or tree branch. This should be interesting. It will be fun 
to compare the SW EWE with the new Super KAZ.  It will get onto this a bit 
metter when we get some dry weather. I will have to bury the coax and power 
cable to the Vactrol anyway. Maybe I can run the power cable th
 rough the same PVC as the wire, but I do not know if it would affect it. 

Patrick Martin
Seaside OR
KGED QSL Manager  
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[IRCA] WWV Solar Report

[NOAA WWV]

:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt
:Issued: 2016 Mar 08 0010 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
#
#  Geophysical Alert Message
#
Solar-terrestrial indices for 07 March follow.
Solar flux 94 and estimated planetary A-index 24.
The estimated planetary K-index at  UTC on 08 March was 4.
Space weather for the past 24 hours has been minor.
Geomagnetic storms reaching the G1 level occurred.
No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Date 06   06   06   06   06   07   07   07   07   07   07   07   07   08
UTC  0900 1200 1500 1800 2100  0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 
SFlx 96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   94   94
A-in 444424   35   35   35   35   35   35   35   22   24
K-in 22256755423344
Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm



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[IRCA] WWV Solar Report

[NOAA WWV]

:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt
:Issued: 2016 Mar 07 2105 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
#
#  Geophysical Alert Message
#
Solar-terrestrial indices for 07 March follow.
Solar flux 94 and estimated planetary A-index 22.
The estimated planetary K-index at 2100 UTC on 07 March was 4.
Space weather for the past 24 hours has been strong.
Geomagnetic storms reaching the G3 level occurred.
No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Date 06   06   06   06   06   06   07   07   07   07   07   07   07   07
UTC  0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100  0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100
SFlx 96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   96   94
A-in 4444424   35   35   35   35   35   35   35   22
K-in 12225675542334
Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm



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Re: [IRCA] [CapeDX] Switch from unterminated to terminated DKAZ caught on wav file!

[Mark Connelly via IRCA]

--- Begin Message ---

In a similar vein on directional antennas, I actually made up daytime stereo 
audio recordings with a Flag antenna having one receiver (Drake R8A) listening 
on its northeast side and another R8A receiving at the same time on the 
southwest side.


These were done in 2004 and 2005 at my former location of Billerica, MA (NW 
suburbs of Boston).


1230 kHz: northeast side = WESX Salem, MA; southwest side = WNEB-1230 
Worcester, MA. 
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_wesx-wneb-1230.mp3


1490 kHz: northeast side = WCCM Haverhill-Lawrence, MA; southwest side = 
WMRC-1490 Milford, MA.
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_wmrc-wccm-1490.mp3


1380 kHz: northeast side = WMYF Portsmouth, NH; southwest side = WNRI-1380 
Woonsocket, RI.
http://chowdanet.com/markc/WEB2005A/dx_wnri-wmyf-1380.mp3


You pretty much get the indicated station in the clear with no evidence of the 
co-channel being picked up at the opposite end of the same antenna.


I would suppose you could do this with a DKAZ (having RF transformer or 
FLG100LN amp at both sides of antenna, two feedlines to shack) with even more 
dramatic results on more channels.


I expect to be putting up a Bowtie antenna, a double-loop similar in pick-up to 
DKAZ, within the next month.  Maybe I can post a Perseus file from that or 
stereo audios similar to the above.


Other thing I could do is to flip mid-capture between a terminated loop facing 
east to one at a right angle, facing south, when there's enough Latin American 
activity to make it interesting.


Mark Connelly, WA1ION
South Yarmouth, MA


-Original Message-
From: Bill Whitacre b...@his.com [CapeDX] 
To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America 
; am ; lbi-dx 
; coastalroundtable 
; CapeDX 
Sent: Mon, Mar 7, 2016 9:29 am
Subject: [CapeDX] Switch from unterminated to terminated DKAZ caught on wav 
file!



  

  
It’s not often you actually have a recorded history of setting up an antenna.  
I recently had the accidental good fortune to do just that while making antenna 
adjustments on the final day of a visit to the Grayland Motel, near [oddly 
enough] Grayland, WA.

The more I listen to the Perseus wav file the more struck I am by how well this 
antenna works.

Without getting wordy and showing how little I know about antenna theory and 
radio wave propagation, let me just describe what the file is.  It’s a Perseus 
wav file of the whole MW band, 30 seconds long, about 450MB in size.  It runs 
from about 15 seconds before 1500utc to about 15 seconds after — the ‘switch’ 
from unterminated to terminated occurs at clock reading 1500:55 UTC.  Short 
reason why is that I ‘fake out’ the clock on the CPU to start Mestor TOH 
recordings at :58 instead of the default :59.

The antenna is a 160’ DKAZ ‘aimed’ at about 290 deg. with #20 wire terminated 
with a Vactrol set to about 900 Ohms but variable with a pot in the ‘shack’ 
[Room 15 at the Grayland Motel]..

The pattern of an unterminated DKAZ looks like a fat peanut along the axis of 
the antenna - bi-directional with some attenuation off the sides.  A properly 
terminated DKAZ looks like a cardioid that’s flat in the back..

With the antenna ‘pointing’ at 290 deg. off-the-back is about 110 deg.

Nulls of 30 dB or better on easy-to-null groundwave, straight off-the-back 
stuff indicate a ‘healthy’ DKAZ.  During skywave conditions things get a little 
more dicey as the signals are coming in at a variety of arrival angles.  At 
1500utc in February there is still plenty of skywave - from all directions - 
coming into Grayland.

—

Here’s a few ‘not to miss’ items to check out if you download the wav file:

780 - KKOH, Reno [155 deg from Grayland], -54 dB unterm. -> -74 dB term. [20 dB 
null]

750 - KXTG, Portland [140 deg], -41 dB unterm. -> -67 dB term. [26 dB]

730 - KNFL, Boise [117 deg], -47 dB unterm. -> GONE - totally dominated by 
"Vancouver’s traffic station!"

Did I mention the DKAZ is wide-band?  I use the 160’ version to get better 
low-band performance, shorter overall lengths work pretty well too though with 
some reduction in low-band performance.

To illustrate …

1700 - XEPE Tecate, Mexico [156 deg], -57 dB unterm. -> GONE - het from 1701 
low-power Aussie

570 - KVI Seattle [61 deg], -51 dB unterm. -> -75 term. [24 dB], note big het 
from Japan on 567

—

If you’re interested in hearing what this sounds/looks like, you can grab the 
file this way:

- go to http://america.fortw.com:8000
- click on Anonymous login
- look for and click on the 2nd file down from the top
- a window will pop up, click on Download File

Enjoy!

P.S. - I believe you can download and use Perseus software to play wav files 
without owning a Perseus receiver.  There may also be other software out there 
these days that will play Perseus files.

Bill 

[IRCA] Arizona TP's for 3/7/16

[Bill Block]

Listened from 1320-1355 UT no audio and only one carrier on 774 on the bottom 
part of the band.  But the top part of the band was good at times with 3 
stations with audio. 
  
1566  HLAZ hrd at 1341 UT with talk and just above the noise level. 
1575  VOA hrd at 1339 UT with talk. 
1593  China hrd at 1336 UT with talk and just above the noise level. 
  
Bill Block 
Prescott Valley, AZ 
Drake R8 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

-- 

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[IRCA] Switch from unterminated to terminated DKAZ caught on wav file!

[Bill Whitacre]

It’s not often you actually have a recorded history of setting up an antenna.  
I recently had the accidental good fortune to do just that while making antenna 
adjustments on the final day of a visit to the Grayland Motel, near [oddly 
enough] Grayland, WA.

The more I listen to the Perseus wav file the more struck I am by how well this 
antenna works.

Without getting wordy and showing how little I know about antenna theory and 
radio wave propagation, let me just describe what the file is.  It’s a Perseus 
wav file of the whole MW band, 30 seconds long, about 450MB in size.  It runs 
from about 15 seconds before 1500utc to about 15 seconds after — the ‘switch’ 
from unterminated to terminated occurs at clock reading 1500:55 UTC.  Short 
reason why is that I ‘fake out’ the clock on the CPU to start Mestor TOH 
recordings at :58 instead of the default :59.

The antenna is a 160’ DKAZ ‘aimed’ at about 290 deg. with #20 wire terminated 
with a Vactrol set to about 900 Ohms but variable with a pot in the ‘shack’ 
[Room 15 at the Grayland Motel].

The pattern of an unterminated DKAZ looks like a fat peanut along the axis of 
the antenna - bi-directional with some attenuation off the sides.  A properly 
terminated DKAZ looks like a cardioid that’s flat in the back.

With the antenna ‘pointing’ at 290 deg. off-the-back is about 110 deg.

Nulls of 30 dB or better on easy-to-null groundwave, straight off-the-back 
stuff indicate a ‘healthy’ DKAZ.  During skywave conditions things get a little 
more dicey as the signals are coming in at a variety of arrival angles.  At 
1500utc in February there is still plenty of skywave - from all directions - 
coming into Grayland.

—

Here’s a few ‘not to miss’ items to check out if you download the wav file:

780 - KKOH, Reno [155 deg from Grayland], -54 dB unterm. -> -74 dB term. [20 dB 
null]

750 - KXTG, Portland [140 deg], -41 dB unterm. -> -67 dB term. [26 dB]

730 - KNFL, Boise [117 deg], -47 dB unterm. -> GONE - totally dominated by 
"Vancouver’s traffic station!"

Did I mention the DKAZ is wide-band?  I use the 160’ version to get better 
low-band performance, shorter overall lengths work pretty well too though with 
some reduction in low-band performance.

To illustrate …

1700 - XEPE Tecate, Mexico [156 deg], -57 dB unterm. -> GONE - het from 1701 
low-power Aussie

570 - KVI Seattle [61 deg], -51 dB unterm. -> -75 term. [24 dB], note big het 
from Japan on 567

—

If you’re interested in hearing what this sounds/looks like, you can grab the 
file this way:

- go to http://america.fortw.com:8000
- click on Anonymous login
- look for and click on the 2nd file down from the top
- a window will pop up, click on Download File

Enjoy!

P.S. - I believe you can download and use Perseus software to play wav files 
without owning a Perseus receiver.  There may also be other software out there 
these days that will play Perseus files.

Bill Whitacre
Alexandria, VA
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