Topband: E-mail AH8DX

[Bojan Sever]

Hello !

Anybody has E-mail from AH8DX ?

TNX & 73 Bojan, S57M
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Top band dispondant

[kd1ia]

HI all,  I have had a rocky relationship with TOPBAND that has never really 
blossomed.  My QTH is small about 1/4 acres.  Only two tree's and NO towers 
allow.  Now that has not stopped me.  I have WAS on 160m  (took 10+ years)  and 
a splattering of countries.  But I will go on to my problem.  I am just NOT 
heard.  I can hear great with my selection of antennas (resonant on 160m I have 
a inductively loaded INV L vert about 40ft 20ft horiz (home brew by the insane 
mind that is my own with 4 elevated radials also loaded like the radiating 
element) A Cushcraft ma160v with about 40 radials on the groud.  A Alpha delta 
dxa with about 50 radials on the ground. These radials are all random ranging 
from 1/16 to 1/4 wave. )  The verticals make great contest antenna for 
stateside as the cushcraft is resonant from about 1.800 to 1.825 and the Inv L 
flat from 1.820 to about 1.850.  

This all aside I can hear like I'm running a receiving loop or even a small 
beverage (had a nice one at an old qth back in the 90's) but I cant seem to be 
heard.  I can put 1kw++ into these antennas but still no luck most of the time. 
 For example I have been calling the HK0NA tonight on 1.833/4 he is s9+ on 
1000d and I am not even getting a ??

Other than the WARC band and my eternal quest for a bigger signal on 20/30/40m 
I am happy with my antennas.  Though I admit I am always experimenting and have 
a separate operating position just for experiments and the rare guest op.  

Well if I'm just crazy then so be it.  I've been banging my head on this 
problem.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I an willing to direct email larger 
descriptions and even pictures of what I am working with... 

Caveats: I wasn't born yesterday,  But, I do believe in magic. sooo Other than 
buying out all my neighbors and putting up some big antennas lets try and be 
constructive.. (that is unless ya wanta give me themoney to buy out my 
neighbors 8)  )

de John ko1h 
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: In search of the True Monopole, Part Two.

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

PART TWO
-

Finding the True Monopole was going to cost time and money, thought
Cackle as he walked back down the steps.

Was he still in his haint dream?

Cackle mindlessly walked straight across the middle yard on one of the
crossing walks and stopped at a sidewalk intersection to look around.
A young student was walking toward him. She noted Cackle's searching
and paused before him.

"Are you looking for something, sir?"

"I suppose I'm looking for building 73."

"Right in front of you." She smiled, pointed, and walked on.

There it was, in plain sight, a "73 - Outservices", black on a white
sign, and if he'd kept walking on without pause, he would have tripped
over it. Cackle walked over and through the door into 73. A pretty
woman who looked as young as the students, was doing something
clerical behind the long counter that divided the room in half.

The door closed behind him and rang a chime somewhere in the office.
After a pause she looked up.

"May I help you?" She spoke brightly, and with a smile.

"I'd like to subscribe to the technical library."

"I'll be here to help you with that on Monday, Wednesday, Friday from
8:30 to noon, or you can go online to www.oldulibraryservices.edu and
fill out the form." She again spoke brightly and still with a smile.

"Would it be possible to have that dealt with today? It's only 1 pm. I
have quite a drive home from here, and I would like to spend the
afternoon in the library since I set aside the time to get here. I
don't want to lose the weekend."  Cackle felt a whiney pleading edge
creeping into his voice.

"No sir, quite sorry. We've had budget cuts and we do have procedures.
Those books have been closed for the day." still brightly and with a
smile. "Shall I see you here Monday?"

Cackle let out a breath. "I don't know. Thank you," resolved to remain
polite in spite of growing perturbance."

Cackle turned and walked toward the door, without thought mumbling
under his breath, "Cheshire Cat."

"Wrong dream." retorted the bright voice.

Cackle shuddered involuntarily, surpressing an urge to run, not walk.



Cackle sat in front of his computer, having typed
www.oldulibraryservices.e into the URL line on his browser. His finger
tapped nervously on the "d" key without depressing it. Suddenly he
tapped the key too hard and he was staring at
www.oldulibraryservices.ed on the URL line.

Cackle jerked his hands back like he had been slapped.

I've spent all day, he thought, trying to do some research on the True
Monopole. He sighed out loud. No. I'm trying to research "monopole"
and get the True Definition. No, no, no, get a scientific definition
of a monopole. I'm looking for the proper definition of monopole. He
found himself reliving the dream and Elmer Wills repeating "True
Monopole" over and over again, as if the words were meant to torture.

"What AM I doing?" Cackle spoke aloud, jumping up from the desk. "Why
do I care anything about a monopole. This is all crazy. STUPID DREAM!"

Cackle immediately felt dread and foreboding, as if he had done
something so evil as curse God. He was surely going insane. True
Monopole.

He sat back down and typed "u", then "enter".

The Old U page came up and flashed through some ads on extension
classes, then a drill down menu of services and departments.  Cackle
clicked on "Library". Then on "Community Library Subscriptions".
Briefly a picture flashed of the Technical Library building, and then
a popup page:

To enter data to Library Services pages, please log on. If you do not
have an account, please register.

Cackle's sense of foreboding was returning. He clicked on the
"Register" button. He filled out all the entry fields and clicked the
submit button.  A window popped up telling him he should shortly
receive an email, and please follow the instructions to complete your
registration.

In a scant 30 seconds Cackle had a new email in his inbox. It
contained a URL to click to verify that he was the one who had made
the request. Cackle clicked on the link, which brought up a browser.
A little bit of relief began to set in, and then dissipated as the
browser displayed a window. It read:

   Thank You, Cackle Fersus, for registering
   for Old U Library Services. The administrator
   will process your request and set up your
   account where you may arrange for services
   and payment, and use Library online facilities.

   Due to budget cuts, these applications are
   only handled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
   8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. Thank you for your
   patience. -- Old U Outservices.

"Handled by the Cheshire Cat," growled Cackle. He was thinking about
his recurring dream where he parks his car somewhere, and it's not
there when he comes back, and he can never find it.



Cackle was sitting up in his bed, dreading going to sleep. "This is
crazy," speaking aloud to no one else in the room. "None of this makes
sense. None of this is worth losing sleep."  Cackle laid back on his
pillow and reached up to turn

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Rik van Riel]

On 01/31/2012 07:30 PM, D Michael wrote:

> I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear 
> is that thing. How can they pass emmission testing and be legal?

It looks like Part 15 has separate rules for emissions
conducted back onto the power line (15.107) and emissions
radiated into the environment (15.108).

The "radiated emissions limit" section does not appear to
specify any radiation limits below 30 MHz for unintentional
radiators...

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/47cfr15_06.html

Am I missing something, or did part 15 change?

-- 
All rights reversed.
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[Larry Menzel]

http://rfti.com/



On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 2:36 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR  wrote:

> It is called RF Technology International - primarily online.  Got the
> citation from the latest ARRL Contest Update.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at
> www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
> reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and
> arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
>
>
> On 2/1/2012 11:51 AM, Missouri Guy wrote:
> >
> > On Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:16:25 -0500 Pete Smith N4ZR
> > writes:
> >> Quite by accident, in leafing through K9AY's new magazine.
> > What new magazine?  :D)
> >
> > Charlie, N0TT
> >
> >
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

It is called RF Technology International - primarily online.  Got the 
citation from the latest ARRL Contest Update.

73, Pete N4ZR
The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at 
reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and
arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000


On 2/1/2012 11:51 AM, Missouri Guy wrote:
>
> On Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:16:25 -0500 Pete Smith N4ZR
> writes:
>> Quite by accident, in leafing through K9AY's new magazine.
> What new magazine?  :D)
>
> Charlie, N0TT
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Mark van Wijk]

 I forgot one more issue; being it an amplified wideband RX loop, it needed a 
160m bandfilter on the output in my case. Too many -30dBm BC signals from MW  
and several SW bands. That lowered its noise floor another few dB's in my total 
RX setup.
In that respect, and because you can built it yourself, I would rather advise 
the suggested N6KR tuned loop in this thread.

73 Mark, PA5MW


On 1 feb. 2012, at 21:04, Mark van Wijk  wrote:

> ALA1530S+
> 
> However, It does need proper common mode filtering. And required secure 
> detuning of my TX antenna to clear out re-radiated noise. 
> 73 Mark, PA5MW
> 
> On 1 feb. 2012, at 20:21, navydude1...@yahoo.com wrote:
> 
>> Mark
>> 
>> Which wellbrook model do u use?
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Feb 1, 2012, at 11:10, Mark van Wijk  wrote:
>> 
>>> 
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Mark van Wijk]

ALA1530S+

However, It does need proper common mode filtering. And required secure 
detuning of my TX antenna to clear out re-radiated noise. 
73 Mark, PA5MW

On 1 feb. 2012, at 20:21, navydude1...@yahoo.com wrote:

> Mark
> 
> Which wellbrook model do u use?
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Feb 1, 2012, at 11:10, Mark van Wijk  wrote:
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Diversity IS the way to go**
>> But if you lack the capability, you need an additional RX antenna that 
>> covers more directions and/or vertical angles.
>> In my 18x22ft large garden I use a Wellbrookloop on a small rotor at ground 
>> level. Turning it around I can effectively kill interference from my 
>> neighbors from about 6 S-units down to 0.5-1 S-unit bove band noise level. 
>> I had a blast last weekend in the contest doing SO LP.
>> 
>> Oh; the hands-free RX antenna switchbox is a great idea fir the future, TNX!
>> 
>> 73 Mark, PA5MW
>> **saving for aTenTec RX366 2nd RX module
>> 
>> 
>>> The best omnidirectional "RUN" setup for 160M is using a transceiver
>>> with dual high performance receivers in stereo diversity so you can
>>> listen with two antennas simultaneously.  
>>> 
>>> I've got a home brew Beverage switch box with a foot switch input so I
>>> can listen hands-free in 2+2=4 directions for callers
>>> 
 
 What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
 
 I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I 
 hear is that thing. 
>> ___
>> 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: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Rick Karlquist]

D Michael wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
>

I use the receive loop I wrote about in the National Contest
Journal a few years ago.  I rotate it to null out the
noise du jour.  You can vary the placement of the loop in your
yard to best avoid the plasma TV.  See:

http://www.n6rk.com/loopantennas/NCJ_loop_antenna_N6RK.pdf

Rick N6RK

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[navydude1962]

Mark

Which wellbrook model do u use?

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 1, 2012, at 11:10, Mark van Wijk  wrote:

> 
> 
> Diversity IS the way to go**
> But if you lack the capability, you need an additional RX antenna that covers 
> more directions and/or vertical angles.
> In my 18x22ft large garden I use a Wellbrookloop on a small rotor at ground 
> level. Turning it around I can effectively kill interference from my 
> neighbors from about 6 S-units down to 0.5-1 S-unit bove band noise level. 
> I had a blast last weekend in the contest doing SO LP.
> 
> Oh; the hands-free RX antenna switchbox is a great idea fir the future, TNX!
> 
> 73 Mark, PA5MW
> **saving for aTenTec RX366 2nd RX module
> 
> 
>> The best omnidirectional "RUN" setup for 160M is using a transceiver
>> with dual high performance receivers in stereo diversity so you can
>> listen with two antennas simultaneously.  
>> 
>> I've got a home brew Beverage switch box with a foot switch input so I
>> can listen hands-free in 2+2=4 directions for callers
>> 
>>> 
>>> What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
>>> 
>>> I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear 
>>> is that thing. 
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Mark van Wijk]

Diversity IS the way to go**
But if you lack the capability, you need an additional RX antenna that covers 
more directions and/or vertical angles.
In my 18x22ft large garden I use a Wellbrookloop on a small rotor at ground 
level. Turning it around I can effectively kill interference from my neighbors 
from about 6 S-units down to 0.5-1 S-unit bove band noise level. 
I had a blast last weekend in the contest doing SO LP.

Oh; the hands-free RX antenna switchbox is a great idea fir the future, TNX!

73 Mark, PA5MW
**saving for aTenTec RX366 2nd RX module


> The best omnidirectional "RUN" setup for 160M is using a transceiver
> with dual high performance receivers in stereo diversity so you can
> listen with two antennas simultaneously.  
> 
> I've got a home brew Beverage switch box with a foot switch input so I
> can listen hands-free in 2+2=4 directions for callers
> 
>> 
>> What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
>> 
>> I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear 
>> is that thing. 
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Jeff Woods]

Mike,

I use a short (450') E/W bi-directional beverage when running.  This is antenna 
is a single-wire with transformers at both ends, feeding two co-ax runs to the 
shack.  The lines go into a switchbox where I can select either direction 
(terminating the unused co-ax in 75 ohms) OR, select both directions by 
paralleling the feeds to the receiver.  The parallel arrangement using both 
directions works well for running.  

Next year I'm hoping to run two synchronized receivers and feed the east and 
west separately into each of the two receivers.  East will be in the right ear 
of headphones and west in the left ear.  This will help in picking out weak 
sigs from W7 calls that are actually in Florida and best received on the SE 
beverage :-)  


-Jeff
W0ODS
Iowa




>
> From: D Michael 
>To: topband@contesting.com 
>Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:30 PM
>Subject: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?
> 
>Hello All,
>
>What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
>
>I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear is 
>that thing. How can they pass emmission testing and be legal?
>
>Any way I have 2 x 300 foot long reversable beverages but I need a better way 
>to run so I don't miss so many callers. I live on a 150'x 200' town lot so I 
>don't have much antenna  seperation space. I am doing the beverages with 
>understanding neighbors who allow me to string them along above their fences.
>
>So I am looking for a better RX RUN antenna setup.
>
>TNX es 73,
>
>Mike W3TS
>___
>UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
>
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[Greg - ZL3IX]

Hi Pete,

The lower limit on the operation of a PIN diode, is not arbitrary, it's 
set by the carrier lifetime of the diode.  The carrier lifetime has to 
be longer than the half cycle time at the frequency of operation, 
otherwise the diode stops acting like a PIN, and looks more like a 
regular diode.  If that happens, you will thus lose the high IP3 
characteristics.

There are a few PIN diodes available with really long carrier lifetimes, 
but they are not very common.  It may be easier for you to use a 
different mechanism for Rx protection, such as reverse biased Schottky 
diodes.  You need to set the reverse biasing as a compromise between 
IP3, and providing adequate protection for the Rx.

73, Greg, ZL3IX

On 2012-02-02 02:16 a.m., Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> Quite by accident, in leafing through K9AY's new magazine I ran into a
> reference to a surface-mount PIN diode
>   designed
> specifically for receiver protection.  It begins to block signals at +10
> dBM, and works by quite a different mechanism than conventional diode
> limiters, resulting in pretty high IP3. The specified lower frequency
> limit is 10 MHz, but I wonder if that is arbitrary
>
> Has anyone tried this approach to receiver protection on Topband?
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[Barry N1EU]

The best omnidirectional "RUN" setup for 160M is using a transceiver
with dual high performance receivers in stereo diversity so you can
listen with two antennas simultaneously.  I've used both the K3/KRX3
and Orion/RX366 and they're the only rigs I'd recommend for serious
160M running in diversity.

I've got a home brew Beverage switch box with a foot switch input so I
can listen hands-free in 2+2=4 directions for callers

Barry N1EU

On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 12:30 AM, D Michael  wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?
>
> I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear 
> is that thing. How can they pass emmission testing and be legal?
>
> Any way I have 2 x 300 foot long reversable beverages but I need a better way 
> to run so I don't miss so many callers. I live on a 150'x 200' town lot so I 
> don't have much antenna  seperation space. I am doing the beverages with 
> understanding neighbors who allow me to string them along above their fences.
>
> So I am looking for a better RX RUN antenna setup.
>
> TNX es 73,
>
> Mike W3TS
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: What do you use as a "RUN" Antenna?

[D Michael]

Hello All,

What do you use as a "RUN" antenna in the CQ 160 contest?

I tried using my TX TEE  but my neighbor now has a plasma TV and all I hear is 
that thing. How can they pass emmission testing and be legal?

Any way I have 2 x 300 foot long reversable beverages but I need a better way 
to run so I don't miss so many callers. I live on a 150'x 200' town lot so I 
don't have much antenna  seperation space. I am doing the beverages with 
understanding neighbors who allow me to string them along above their fences.

So I am looking for a better RX RUN antenna setup.

TNX es 73,

Mike W3TS
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Beverages Noise

[ZR]

- Original Message - 
From: "Jim Brown" 
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Beverages Noise


On 1/30/2012 5:33 PM, Silvio M. Martín LW9EOC wrote:
> As I can remove noise entering through the ground? and how to isolate the 
> shield?

A common mode choke, made by winding many turns of the coax around a
ferrite core, would help.  The best core to use is Fair-Rite mix #31,
and you want at least 14 turns through a 2.4-inch outer diameter toroid
for 160M.  7-9 turns through a big one-inch inner diameter clamp-on will
work.

** A good feedline only ground rod that is completely isolated from the 
Beverage transformers antenna winding ground rod by 5-10 meters should be 
the first step.
ON4UN's latest revisions go thru this in detail.

The ferrite is useful for minimizing any common mode that remains.

Carl
KM1H


___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Quite by accident, in leafing through K9AY's new magazine I ran into a 
reference to a surface-mount PIN diode 
 designed 
specifically for receiver protection.  It begins to block signals at +10 
dBM, and works by quite a different mechanism than conventional diode 
limiters, resulting in pretty high IP3. The specified lower frequency 
limit is 10 MHz, but I wonder if that is arbitrary

Has anyone tried this approach to receiver protection on Topband?

-- 
73, Pete N4ZR
The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at 
reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and
arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK