Re: Topband: 160M Condx 29 Dec 2011
Yes, superb condx. Called cq for abt 3hours, many RBN-spots from NA over 30db. 15 NA in the log. Guess lot`s of folk have free from job. kh2/n2nl works 60-70 EU in 1hour...LA is not KH2, but it may display something. NA: little less conversation (on reflector) little more action! Remember it`s the faremost eastern stations who leave the warm bed. HNY Ronald LA3ANA Am 29.12.2011, 19:40 Uhr, schrieb Ray Benny rayn...@cableone.net: You guys are lucky. Two evening ago we worked EU, last night, nothing. A few of the big guns W6/7 were hearing EU, not me. Ray, N6VR Near Prescott, AZ On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 6:28 AM, Steve Sacco NN4X n...@embarqmail.comwrote: I wandered into the shack overnight to discover excellent conditions into EU. The overall noise level was very low, and I was able to work LY, LA, SM, HA, G, F and PA with only 100 watts around their sunrise (between 05:57Z and 07:06Z). Interestingly everyone was about 559, and I received the similar reports in return. As previously noted, it's been a poor season for 160M; I'm glad I was able to get on the band for the first time last year, when the pickings were better. 73 and HNY to all, Steve NN4X ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK -- Erstellt mit Operas revolutionärem E-Mail-Modul: http://www.opera.com/mail/ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Another good LP day on Top
The December Doldrums are officially over. For the second day we had good long path/skewed path conditions in the pre-dawn hours. This morning's excitement started with VK3IO (579) calling in at 1018z and VK3ZL (599!) at 1037z. Often when the VK's are this loud it's a sign the band will be poor to the tougher paths in Asia and the Pacific, so I didn't get my hopes up. But then KH2/N2NL came through nicely on the direct path at 1100z. And a few minutes later, Hiro, DU1/JJ5GMJ, showed up on 1811.5 and was being heard in New England. And I could copy him here in Delaware! DU has been a long, hard chase for me, having heard my first (a US station portable there) around 1980 when I was in Connecticut. I heard a few others over the years, including a 5-year pursuit of DU9/N0NM, who I heard many, many times with no QSO. And I've heard DU1IST both in our morning and LP in the evening the past two years. But unlike some of the others, Hiro manages to hear stations quite well. And his 300 watts and inverted L put out a good signal. I was fortunate to get him in the log at 1110z (no. 314) and numerous others also had success. Thanks Hiro for your persistence! About this time BU2AQ also started coming through, peaking due south though later shifting sometimes to SSW. I was copying him up till 1200z. No prize for me today but Allison did work several East Coast stations. DU1IST also started CQ'ing, and while his signal was stronger than Hiro's, he has difficulty hearing and no QSO's were observed though he had many callers from the USA East Coast. Peter, XU7ACY, has had a strong signal here on the long path the past two days, and he gave many a new one today. Ross, 9M2AX, also was coming through again today but had some trouble with local thunderstorms there. In other years with these long and skewed path openings, as sunrise approached the Asian signals often would shift around to the short path. But that hasn't happened this week. 73/Jon AA1K Felton, Delaware www.aa1k.us ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Another good LP day on Top
Congrats Jon on DU. Still hopeful for Bu2AQ. Exciting. Man, was Peter loud yesterday and very readable today too. 73 and HNY my friend. Bob K3UL ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Another good LP day on Top
I knew the morning was going to be good when VK3ZL answered my CQ and was 569. . .he was running 50w. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS - Original Message - From: Jon Zaimes AA1K j...@verizon.net To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 7:08 AM Subject: Topband: Another good LP day on Top The December Doldrums are officially over. For the second day we had good long path/skewed path conditions in the pre-dawn hours. This morning's excitement started with VK3IO (579) calling in at 1018z and VK3ZL (599!) at 1037z. Often when the VK's are this loud it's a sign the band will be poor to the tougher paths in Asia and the Pacific, so I didn't get my hopes up. But then KH2/N2NL came through nicely on the direct path at 1100z. And a few minutes later, Hiro, DU1/JJ5GMJ, showed up on 1811.5 and was being heard in New England. And I could copy him here in Delaware! DU has been a long, hard chase for me, having heard my first (a US station portable there) around 1980 when I was in Connecticut. I heard a few others over the years, including a 5-year pursuit of DU9/N0NM, who I heard many, many times with no QSO. And I've heard DU1IST both in our morning and LP in the evening the past two years. But unlike some of the others, Hiro manages to hear stations quite well. And his 300 watts and inverted L put out a good signal. I was fortunate to get him in the log at 1110z (no. 314) and numerous others also had success. Thanks Hiro for your persistence! About this time BU2AQ also started coming through, peaking due south though later shifting sometimes to SSW. I was copying him up till 1200z. No prize for me today but Allison did work several East Coast stations. DU1IST also started CQ'ing, and while his signal was stronger than Hiro's, he has difficulty hearing and no QSO's were observed though he had many callers from the USA East Coast. Peter, XU7ACY, has had a strong signal here on the long path the past two days, and he gave many a new one today. Ross, 9M2AX, also was coming through again today but had some trouble with local thunderstorms there. In other years with these long and skewed path openings, as sunrise approached the Asian signals often would shift around to the short path. But that hasn't happened this week. 73/Jon AA1K Felton, Delaware www.aa1k.us ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M Condx 29 Dec 2011
Ha ! Ray, From NH I heard EU stations but with a stealth condo endfed and K1 QRP rig I may as well have been in W6 land :-) However, hope springs eternal, and for some totally unexplainable reason, I made a (confirmed) contact with NH7O the other night and am still on a tremendous high from that ! You never know... 73 jim / W1FMR (NH) --- On Thu, 12/29/11, Ray Benny rayn...@cableone.net wrote: From: Ray Benny rayn...@cableone.net Subject: Re: Topband: 160M Condx 29 Dec 2011 To: Steve Sacco NN4X n...@embarqmail.com Cc: topband@contesting.com Date: Thursday, December 29, 2011, 1:40 PM You guys are lucky. Two evening ago we worked EU, last night, nothing. A few of the big guns W6/7 were hearing EU, not me. Ray, N6VR Near Prescott, AZ On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 6:28 AM, Steve Sacco NN4X n...@embarqmail.comwrote: I wandered into the shack overnight to discover excellent conditions into EU. The overall noise level was very low, and I was able to work LY, LA, SM, HA, G, F and PA with only 100 watts around their sunrise (between 05:57Z and 07:06Z). Interestingly everyone was about 559, and I received the similar reports in return. As previously noted, it's been a poor season for 160M; I'm glad I was able to get on the band for the first time last year, when the pickings were better. 73 and HNY to all, Steve NN4X ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK -- *Ray,* *N6VR* ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Galvanized Beverage antenna wire inquiry
Any series resistance or inductance will slow the incoming wave down and increase the tilt and the length where it reverses direction can be calculated since a 50% VF is the crossover point. A Beverage by definition is a slow wave antenna. I use 2 types of military telephone wire for 5 reversible 2 wire Beverages. One is a copper/cadmium alloy and the other Im not sure but its the common WD-11A that many use. At 500-900' they seem to be no different than predicted. I find 60dB nulls a bit of a stretch on a regular basis on any sky wave signal. Some here may have hit 40 on a fluke but 20-25dB seems average and with some a bit worse. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Bruce k...@myfairpoint.net To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:23 PM Subject: Topband: Galvanized Beverage antenna wire inquiry Early in 2007 I took a survey about Beverage antennas on this reflector. /archives//html/Topband/2007-02/msg00062.html Earl K6SE (sk) was the one making exact termination test on his 7' above the ground Beverages. He was using AWG 17 galvanized steel electric fence wire, the longest (1100 FT.) achieving 60 db front-to-back and 60-db front-to-side. He replaced the galvanized wire with copper wire, but did not achieve near the same results, so went back to galvanized. In additional emails, Earl believed that it was the resistance of galvanized wire, making unwanted signals travel twice the resistive distance. Has anyone else done Beverage wire comparisons, and what results? 73 Bruce-K1FZ ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4110 - Release Date: 12/29/11 ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
On Fri, 2011-12-30 at 15:15 +, Dave G4GED wrote: - Original Message - Got a note from Gary K9AY, he says no time to make the RAS8x2 switches, real work is too busy. So I suspect until Gary can make more they are not available. Dave Anderson, K4SV -- That's a pity, I was just about to order one! I haven't a clue of the methods of interlock switching the RAS8x2 uses but as it looks like we're going to have to make our own and my need to keep to simple click-clunk technology. I believe that using relays with a spare contact in such a cicuit that disables any other relay once operated, would do the job? Before I set about reinventing the wheel, does anyone have the knowledge or a basic circuit diagram for this sort of relay interlocking please? Tnx Dave ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK Please reply with directions to Dave's query on the list or.. include me if the reply is off-list. I am facing some of the same issues. Maybe I could sort it out for myself but why reinvent the wheel? 73, Bill KU8H ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: Another good LP day on Top
Yes, Quite a morning on 160! I heard XU7ACY via LP (on 213? Beverage) here in SNH for the 1st time. I called him a few times but no QSO. Gone at my exact sunrise. Quite a thrill just the same. Cheers, Dick, W1ZC ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Fwd: 160M JT65HF
Let me applaud David for his post. This in informative - relevant to 160 meters and does not get into the emotional area that I was trying to nip in the bud with my previous post. It should be noted that some people took offense at my position and even at least one unsubscribed from this list because he perceived we were not interesting in talking about 21st century modes. I think they misunderstood my request. There is a difference between messages like the one below and the ones I was trying to prevent a flood of. We are here to exchange technical information and encourage activity. We are not here to convert everyone to our own view on the relative value of different ways of operating. While this message isn't for everyone - it falls into the same category as a message that might be specific to phased beverages - which is of little interest to someone on a city lot. Use the delete key. Happy New Year to all topband operators. Tree N6TR piss: If you have not already - now is a perfect time to send in your Stew Perry log!!! thanks. -- Forwarded message -- From: David Michael Gaytko // WD4KPD wd4...@suddenlink.net Date: Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 8:22 AM Subject: Topband: 160M JT65HF To: topband@contesting.com almost every night and especially on weekends/holidays, there is alot of activity on 1838/usb. some qrm from psk/other but they usually are far enough from the center freq not to be a problem (not always, the jt program only shows +/-1kc on the waterfall. do wish they would give at least .500kc guard band) there is a little activity down around 1810 where the jt65hf got started, but since ARRL proposes that area for cw, 99% of activity is on the 1838kc freq. here in NC with a hytower vert, i have 47 for WAS and EU shows up well late in eve. 80m is quite similar, but much better to EU in the eve (48 for WAS), and some Grey Line. come on down and enjoy ! david/wd4kpd psany grey-line dx skeds welcome on 80/160. really need AK/HI -- God's law is set in stone...everything else is negotiable. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M Condx 29 Dec 2011
Ditto here, only LY7M and that was not strong at all. Been quiet this season. I could just barely hear the V5/DJ DXpedition, but no way I was getting through that pileup. Mark Lunday, WD4ELG ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
Topbanders, Re: the recent discussion of antenna switches and the AY Technologies RAS-8x2 -- yes, production has been suspended while I work on my real job which now involves starting a new company (www.rfti.com for those who might be interested). I have only today started a conversation with a ham supplier who might continue the RAS-8x2 and perhaps other products I haven't made for a while. Even if that works out, there will be startup time -- hopefully, I can set aside time in February to work on a final batch of RAS units. No promises, but I'll try... Final note -- I have been providing repair services for the AYL-4 K9AY Loop systems made prior to Array Solutions taking over its manufacture. I will do the same for RAS-8x2 units already in the field. 73 and Happy New Year to all! Gary K9AY ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M JT65HF
On 12/30/2011 11:22 AM, David Michael Gaytko // WD4KPD wrote: almost every night and especially on weekends/holidays, there is alot of activity on 1838/usb. some qrm from psk/other but they usually are far enough from the center freq not to be a problem (not always, the jt program only shows +/-1kc on the waterfall. do wish they would give at least .500kc guard band) A technical clarification ... although JT65 users will specify USB carrier (dial) frequency, the software uses a nominal 1270.5 Hz sync tone with activity spreading +/- 1 KHz. The actual occupied spectrum would be approximately 1838.270 to 1840.500 KHz. Most JT65 activity is relatively low power - typically between 10 and 50 watts on HF. 73, ... Joe, W4TV ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: LONG PATH DX YESTERDAY
While many were hearing XU7ACY via long path yesterday morning, I heard stations to the west and south working JAs which I could not hear. I'd be interested in knowing if they too were worked via long path or direct. I listened both ways and while XU7 had a very copyable signal here, there was no sign of those JAs, 9M2 or DU1. Sadly, no QSO! I found my Beverages and K9AY loop not very good on the long path but had decent copy on the phased verticals working against the horizontal loop. XU7 was very poor copy this AMhope conditions get betterlike many I need that one! Bill VE3CSK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
Interlocked switches should not be necessary for receive applications. If by interlocked you're looking for a way to deselect one antenna when selecting the next, check K1TTT's web site. Dave had a push button controller that would release previously selected antennas when making a new selection. I haven't looked for it recently so you may need to do some digging. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/30/2011 3:27 PM, Dave G4GED wrote: - Original Message - From: Brian Moranbria...@yahoo.com Here's one that works for TX Rx. http://www.qsl.net/k5lxp/projects/CoaxSwitch/CoaxSwitch.html With lockout, etc. A homebrew version of the '6 pack' kind of box from array solutions. I have the Array Solutions one, and it works great. - Brian N9ADG Thanks Brian for the submission which I'm sure admirably suits selection of TX/RX antennas perhaps for selection of different bands etc. If I've read it correctly, the antennas are selected by rotary switches. The primary need for selection of RX antennas on TopBand is to be able to switch from any one to any other instantly without the tedium and confusion of having to spin a rotary switch back and forth whilst trying to find best copy out of an extreemly weak signal down in the noise. A matrix of quiet interlocked push button switches would be ideal, which require just one push to instantly change from any one antenna to any other. Unfortunately, they're not easy to come by these days which is why I'm thinking of a relay based solution. There's undoubtably software solutions available to do this but I'm afraid that's out of my league, unless someone here can pull a design out ready made for DIY! Cheers Dave ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M JT65HF
On 12/30/2011 9:14 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Most JT65 activity is relatively low power - typically between 10 and 50 watts on HF. Yes, but if I were trying to work a difficult path like EU on 160M from here in W6, I would be running as much power as I thought my power amp could safely handle for the 50 second keydown cycle -- (probably about 500W). Thor's very informative post about the far more limited spectrum on 160M in his country was also quite helpful, and it helped a lot in understanding his concerns. This is the sort of information that I'd love to see collected for ALL countries on a website. I'd be happy to post it on mine if someone were to collect it. 73, Jim K9YC ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M JT65HF
Thor's very informative post about the far more limited spectrum on 160M in his country was also quite helpful, and it helped a lot in understanding his concerns. This is the sort of information that I'd love to see collected for ALL countries on a website. I'd be happy to post it on mine if someone were to collect it. Dennis N0CKD/N4CKD used to maintain such a list ... I don't know if it is still available. EI8IC also has a similar list at: http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/contest/topband.php but it appears to have not been updated over the entire last sunspot cycle ... K8ND also has a list here (dated 9 September 2010): http://www.k8nd.com/Radio/Planning/CQWW160/160FrequencyAllocation.pdf 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/30/2011 4:14 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 12/30/2011 9:14 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Most JT65 activity is relatively low power - typically between 10 and 50 watts on HF. Yes, but if I were trying to work a difficult path like EU on 160M from here in W6, I would be running as much power as I thought my power amp could safely handle for the 50 second keydown cycle -- (probably about 500W). Thor's very informative post about the far more limited spectrum on 160M in his country was also quite helpful, and it helped a lot in understanding his concerns. This is the sort of information that I'd love to see collected for ALL countries on a website. I'd be happy to post it on mine if someone were to collect it. 73, Jim K9YC ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: 160M JT65HF
On 12/30/2011 04:14 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 12/30/2011 9:14 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Most JT65 activity is relatively low power - typically between 10 and 50 watts on HF. Yes, but if I were trying to work a difficult path like EU on 160M from here in W6, I would be running as much power as I thought my power amp could safely handle for the 50 second keydown cycle -- (probably about 500W). Thor's very informative post about the far more limited spectrum on 160M in his country was also quite helpful, and it helped a lot in understanding his concerns. Agreed. I believe it would be a polite thing for all the digital ops to happen around 1838, so as to not cause interference to the CW ops lower in the band. -- All rights reversed. ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: RX antenna switch
System similar to what you mentioned regarding the gain compensation/distribution, HPF/BPFs, RX overload, PTT, and additional signal path sources and output routing (incl. looping back): http://no3m.net/index.php?page=signal-processor Has an on-board embedded MPU, but a header can be used w/ switches for manual control. 73/HNY - Eric NO3M If it were the 'ideal' thing, there'd be a box with a matrix of switches (A x B), gain blocks that could be put in/out of the circuit, BPFs that could be put in and out, 'muting' of any RX output that is connected to a transmitter that is transmitting, RX overload protection, and some general purpose inputs to select the 'configuration'. Probably a PIC to run it, with a nice GUI app to configure it. - Brian N9ADG ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Topband: Teflon Tubing
If anyone is in need of Teflon Tubing, I have some in #11 and #12 size. That is the inside diameter. If someone needs some, I will give you a good bargain. 5 feet for US$10.00 post- paid and US$14.00 post-paid for DX. Please contact me at w0ri...@sbcglobal.net for the details. 73 W0RI Price ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: BAD OT:Phase noise *** RE: digital on 1838 +/-
Phase noise is generated by the rig's LO and exists as a more broad band low level signal. Issue is more significant with modern day DDS than with older analog-type VFO sources. Guys who operate field day can relate... 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: MIKE DURKIN Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 11:08 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: BAD OT:Phase noise *** RE: digital on 1838 +/- Don't you mean IMD from the radio/amp driven past ALC? CW is a binary signal and no one complains of its phase noise . Mike KC7NOA From: n...@comcast.net To: wa3...@comcast.net; topband@contesting.com Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:59:09 -0500 Subject: Re: Topband: digital on 1838 +/- -Original Message- From: topband-boun...@contesting.com [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of wa3...@comcast.net Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 10:47 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: digital on 1838 +/- Jim Consider this however, CW and digital modes like JT65 typically share the CW portion of the bands. That is not the case on weak signal bands, and in special 6m, digital modes are above 50.250 MHz, there is a clear reason for that, digital is not a narrow mode, there are phase noises that can trash the band. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: BAD OT:Phase noise *** RE: digital on 1838 +/-
Jeff, I suspect that you mean modern day synthesisers rather than specifically DDS. Actually, the DDS itself has quite low phase noise, better than -130 dBc/Hz with Analog Devices chips, especially if the internal multiplying PLL is not used in the reference path. 73, Greg. ZL3IX On 2011-12-31 06:30 p.m., Jeff Blaine wrote: Phase noise is generated by the rig's LO and exists as a more broad band low level signal. Issue is more significant with modern day DDS than with older analog-type VFO sources. Guys who operate field day can relate... 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
Re: Topband: BAD OT:Phase noise *** RE: digital on 1838 +/-
Greg, Yes, that's correct. Thanks for the fix. Been a long week. 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: Greg - ZL3IX Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 1:29 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: BAD OT:Phase noise *** RE: digital on 1838 +/- Jeff, I suspect that you mean modern day synthesisers rather than specifically DDS. Actually, the DDS itself has quite low phase noise, better than -130 dBc/Hz with Analog Devices chips, especially if the internal multiplying PLL is not used in the reference path. 73, Greg. ZL3IX On 2011-12-31 06:30 p.m., Jeff Blaine wrote: Phase noise is generated by the rig's LO and exists as a more broad band low level signal. Issue is more significant with modern day DDS than with older analog-type VFO sources. Guys who operate field day can relate... 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK ___ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
