Re: Topband: VP6T

[Bernie McClenny, W3UR]

Starting April 1st LoTW works for WPX too!

For those who need a VP6T QSL go via G3TXF.

Bernie


Bernie McClenny, W3UR
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-Original Message-
From: topband-boun...@contesting.com
[mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of GREG WILSON
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:13 PM
To: Jim Hoge
Cc: topband reflector
Subject: Re: Topband: VP6T

Yes -- but our friend may want the card for reasons other than a ARRL
award (or CQ WPX).  Maybe he would like a card for his wall.  So if you
know the answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it.  73 de
Greg-N4CC

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jim Hoge  wrote:

> Jim,
>
> Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops 
> imposed by the ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC 
> standings. No conventions where an HQ staffer is present for card 
> checking or no sending the card to HQ is necessary. Just submit an 
> LotW application and it's a done deal.
>
> 73,
> Jim W5QM
>
>
>
> 
> ___
> 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: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[George Dubovsky]

If anyone is interested in playing with some HF-rated PINs, I have a
quantity of Microwave Associates MA-47266 available. They are 1.5 watt,
axial leaded parts (about the size of a 1/4 watt resistor), with a minority
carrier lifetime of 3.5 uS - rated for service down to 1 MHz. You can find
a datasheet on the Richardson Electronics website. Like Carl, I tried them
in the front end and filter switching positions of my IC-765 years ago, and
did measure a small TOI improvement (using lab grade equipment at work),
but the Icom already had a better front end than the Kenwoods.

73,

geo - n4ua

On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 11:51 AM, ZR  wrote:

> See what the lastest rigs are using to switch front end bandpass filters.
>
> In the 80's my job involved using PIN's in RF modems as low as 5MHz.
> Considering their measured performance I modified my TS-940's using those
> MACOM devices and they worked well to below 160m and really stepped up the
> IP3 as I brought my rigs into work on weekends to run tests.
>  Last time I looked a few years ago they were no longer available;
> everything is SMD these days.
>
> Ulrich Rhode was a customer of my sideline Radiokit business and called
> often so we discussed this and he tried them in his TS-440 and then
> proceeded to prod Kenwood to make changes in their current rigs back then.
> Now everyone does it. He also discussed this in his articles in CommQuart
> and/or QEX.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Greg - ZL3IX" 
> To: 
> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 11:24 AM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology
>
>
> > 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
> >
> >
> > -
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4779 - Release Date: 02/01/12
> >
>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: vp6t 160M qsl VIA OQRS

[John G3LZQ]

As Nigel G3TXF (the QSL manager) is on the high seas between VP6 and
FO I suspect the answer is when he gets home!

Subscriber to both direct QSL's and LOTW (since Day-1)..

73

John G3LZQ

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

Re: Topband: VP6T

[Jim Brown]

On 2/2/2012 10:12 AM, GREG WILSON wrote:
> So if you know the
> answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it.

Anyone who can post to an email list, can use www.qrz.com to look up QSL 
info. I do that pretty often. There's also an excellent site maintained 
by an Italian ham that lists QSL managers, and another by an N4 who will 
tell you how much postage it takes to return a card from many countries 
(some are running as high as $3).

I don't collect cards, except to use to apply for awards, but I sure 
send out a lot -- more than 3,000 in the six years I've lived in CA, 
nearly all via the Bureau. If you work many JAs, you're going to get a 
LOT of cards. My Bureau cards come through the W9 Bureau, and they tell 
me that I get more cards than the The only ones I send direct are to 
those hams who for one reason or another will not or cannot use the 
Bureau, and refuse to help out their fellow hams by using eQSL and LOTW.

It took a lot of time, effort, and dollars for the team to put VP6T on 
the air with great signals on multiple bands for more than two weeks. It 
takes a lot more time (and money) to send paper QSLs, even through the 
Bureau, but LOTW and eQSL take almost no effort at all, and are FREE!  I 
have many boxes full of QSL cards, and the last thing I need is more. So 
I only ask for paper cards when the other station won't do LOTW or eQSL.

73, Jim K9YC
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: VP6T

[James Rodenkirch]

I'm with ya, Jack -- and, for me, since I have so few Top Band DXCC QSLs 'cuz I 
operate QRP, I LOVE holding that card.  Hi Hi
 
In fact, for my 260+ DXCC entities that I've worked, I believe I have 240 of 
them in the form of QSL cards.  Recently, my XYL's brother and his squeeze were 
over at the house  during a conversation about Amateur Radio they asked me 
who I'd contactedI went into the shack, pulled my two plastic baggies full 
of my DXCC QSL cards, brought the cards out and started laying them out on the 
table for them to peruse.  Even I was in awe of some of the pics and layouts 
utilized.  
 
Super fun to have those QSL cards to reminisce over!
 
72, Jim Rodenkirch, K9JWV

 

 

> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:33:17 -0800
> From: vhfp...@gmail.com
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: VP6T
> 
> On 2/2/2012 10:12 AM, GREG WILSON wrote:
> > Yes -- but our friend may want the card for reasons other than a ARRL award
> > (or CQ WPX). Maybe he would like a card for his wall. So if you know the
> > answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it. 73 de Greg-N4CC
> >
> > On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jim Hoge wrote:
> >
> >> Jim,
> >>
> >> Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops imposed
> >> by the ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC standings. No
> >> conventions where an HQ staffer is present for card checking or no sending
> >> the card to HQ is necessary. Just submit an LotW application and it's a
> >> done deal.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Jim W5QM
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 
> >> ___
> >> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> >>
> > ___
> > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
> >
> My XYL, K7MKL, has had her Extra for less than a year and her General 
> not much more than that. She is thrilled by the DX QSLs she's been able 
> to acquire and wants to get one from every DXCC entity she works, 
> regardless of LoTW confirmations. She is bewildered at the DX stations 
> who refuse to confirm with paper, even with an SAE and IRC or green 
> stamp(s).
> 
> I am working on a display of QSLs for something in excess of 320 DXCC 
> entities (not mine, unfortunately) and it is an amazing sight. It 
> saddens me that so many new DXer's will never have the thrill of seeing 
> anywhere near that number of cards on their walls. I guess there are 
> those of us who have been around for 50+ years and just become callous. 
> Some have even become curmudgeons :>)
> 
> 73,
> 
> -- 
> Jack, W6NF
> Shelley, K7MKL
> Silver Springs, NV
> DM09ji
> 
> QSL via paper, eQSL and LoTW
> 
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
  
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: VP6T

[Jack/W6NF]

On 2/2/2012 10:12 AM, GREG WILSON wrote:
> Yes -- but our friend may want the card for reasons other than a ARRL award
> (or CQ WPX).  Maybe he would like a card for his wall.  So if you know the
> answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it.  73 de Greg-N4CC
>
> On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jim Hoge  wrote:
>
>> Jim,
>>
>> Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops imposed
>> by the ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC standings. No
>> conventions where an HQ staffer is present for card checking or no sending
>> the card to HQ is necessary. Just submit an LotW application and it's a
>> done deal.
>>
>> 73,
>> Jim W5QM
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>> ___
>> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>>
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
My XYL, K7MKL, has had her Extra for less than a year and her General 
not much more than that. She is thrilled by the DX QSLs she's been able 
to acquire and wants to get one from every DXCC entity she works, 
regardless of LoTW confirmations. She is bewildered at the DX stations 
who refuse to confirm with paper, even with an SAE and IRC or green 
stamp(s).

I am working on a display of QSLs for something in excess of 320 DXCC 
entities (not mine, unfortunately) and it is an amazing sight. It 
saddens me that so many new DXer's will never have the thrill of seeing 
anywhere near that number of cards on their walls. I guess there are 
those of us who have been around for 50+ years and just become callous. 
Some have even become curmudgeons :>)

73,

-- 
Jack, W6NF
Shelley, K7MKL
Silver Springs, NV
DM09ji

QSL via paper, eQSL and LoTW

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

Re: Topband: VP6T

[GREG WILSON]

Yes -- but our friend may want the card for reasons other than a ARRL award
(or CQ WPX).  Maybe he would like a card for his wall.  So if you know the
answer to his question, I'm sure he would appreciate it.  73 de Greg-N4CC

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jim Hoge  wrote:

> Jim,
>
> Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops imposed
> by the ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC standings. No
> conventions where an HQ staffer is present for card checking or no sending
> the card to HQ is necessary. Just submit an LotW application and it's a
> done deal.
>
> 73,
> Jim W5QM
>
>
>
> 
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology

[ZR]

See what the lastest rigs are using to switch front end bandpass filters.

In the 80's my job involved using PIN's in RF modems as low as 5MHz. 
Considering their measured performance I modified my TS-940's using those 
MACOM devices and they worked well to below 160m and really stepped up the 
IP3 as I brought my rigs into work on weekends to run tests.
 Last time I looked a few years ago they were no longer available; 
everything is SMD these days.

Ulrich Rhode was a customer of my sideline Radiokit business and called 
often so we discussed this and he tried them in his TS-440 and then 
proceeded to prod Kenwood to make changes in their current rigs back then. 
Now everyone does it. He also discussed this in his articles in CommQuart 
and/or QEX.

Carl
KM1H


- Original Message - 
From: "Greg - ZL3IX" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Receiver protection using PIN Diode technology


> 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
>
>
> -
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4779 - Release Date: 02/01/12
> 

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

Re: Topband: VP6T

[Jim Hoge]

Jim,

Good point. Also, you don't have to jump through the extra hoops imposed by the 
ARRL to get a topband LotW qsl awarded to your DXCC standings. No conventions 
where an HQ staffer is present for card checking or no sending the card to HQ 
is necessary. Just submit an LotW application and it's a done deal.

73,
Jim W5QM




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

Re: Topband: VP6T

[Jim Brown]

On 2/2/2012 5:07 AM, all...@dejazzd.com wrote:
> Does anyone know when the "Online QSL Request Service (OQRS) provided by 
> ClubLog" will be activated for VP6T?

Why do you need a QSL?  They were loading their log to LOTW almost 
daily, and it's all there.  Not an LOTW user?  You don't know what 
you're missing!

73, Jim K9YC
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Top band despondent

[Chortek, Robert L]

John,

Do not despair, my fellow Topband Aficionado!

I also live on a 1/4 lot in a residential subdivision in San Jose - part of the 
Black Hole of the 160 meter world. I don't have the luxury of living on or near 
the East Coast where working Europe (with lots of DXCC entities) is the same 
"chip shot" working JA is for us on the West Coast

If conditions allow, put up a ground mounted vertical of at least 60 feet, and 
either top load it if you have room or base load it with a large coil made of 
1/4" copper tubing about 6-8" in diameter.  First try your existing radial 
field and see how it works.  Collect some data. Then you might try raising the 
bottom of the vertical about 3' and insulate the bottom.  Use at least 8 or 
preferably 12 resonant elevated radials. My  vertical is 60' base loaded affair 
mounted right next to my house, on a 3' high 3" PVC pipe, and the 8 radials 
slope up at a 45 degree angle to the roof and then in all kinds of asymmetrical 
directions.  The pattern is distorted by the radial field, but the antenna 
still works fairly well. I am a little gun, but with 1.5 KW, I have managed to 
work 133 countries and am having the time of my life.  If my situation allowed, 
I would change to top loading in a heartbeat.   If you want to call me to 
discuss details I will be very pleased to pass on what litt
 le I have learned about Topband life from a small city lot.  

You CAN have success, but you need a more efficient antenna.

73,

Bob/AA6VB 

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

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

Topband: VP6T

[allan1]

Does anyone know when the "Online QSL Request Service (OQRS) provided by 
ClubLog" will be activated for VP6T?

73' Allan W2TN
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: E-mail AH8DX

[Fortra]

Hi Bojan,
try :
ah...@msn.com

or direct 

Craig Maxey, 16550 SW Taft Court, Beaverton, OR 97007-6262, USA

rgds,

Nermin S58DX
- Original Message - 
From: "Bojan Sever" 
To: 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:35 AM
Subject: Topband: E-mail AH8DX


> Hello !
> 
> Anybody has E-mail from AH8DX ?
> 
> TNX & 73 Bojan, S57M
> ___
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
>

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