Re: Topband: RF noise
Jim, It could be a photo cell switch as they are used all over the place now for solar lighting as well as street lights. If the problem as you described occurs with sunset and goes away when the sun comes up, it could give some indication that it is operated by daylight or lack of it. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 12/3/2012 10:38 PM, Jim F. wrote: Around 5 pm here as it starts getting dark there is some kind of interference and wonder if anyone recognizes it ? It sounds like your mom's first washing machine...Swish Swish Swish etc... at a 2 Swishes in less than 2 seconds rate. It sounds like Swish modulated static but softer sounding than static peaking over S-9 at mid Swish. Thank you, Jim / W1FMR. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
On 12/3/2012 8:26 PM, Augie Gus Hansen wrote: as in CQ TEST KB0YH, with about a 1-2 second loop delay. I have NEVER found a CQ repeat interfal less than 2.5 seconds to be adequate to actually LISTEN for callers, and I often use 3 seconds. I strongly agree with the need to keep CQs short. I always have three CQs programmed. The shortest, automatic on F1, is TEST K9YC The next is CQ TEST K9YC, and the longest is CQ TEST K9YC K9YC. I start with the shortest, then the middle one, then the longer one when things are slow and I need to beat the bushes. When a QSO is finished, it's TU, a long space so someone could tail end, then K9YC. No 73, GL in the contest, no QSL, CFM,etc. If I think there might be any confusion about callsigns, I'll use F5 (his call) then F3 (TUK9YC) at the end of the QSO. All that extra crap takes time, and when I'm in SP mode, I'll tune past the guy who's wasting my time with it. I can average 80 Qs per hour in SP mode, but not waiting through that blather. :) I've contested with N6RO at his place. He's a top scoring guy (he's won SS nationally, doing it from the west coast), so I have a hard time finding fault with him! What Ken does is send YOUR call at the beginning of an exchange, when in SP mode. That's smart -- it makes sure both guys know who's working who under crowded band conditions when there can often be two stations running a few hundred Hz apart on different coasts, and callers answering both. BTW -- another good way to make sure that the other guy is working YOU, not someone else on your frequency, is to ask for a simple repeat of a short part of the exchange. If he responds, you know he's working you. As to being weak -- I strongly agree with N6RK's advice. I'll add this: never send ANYTHING again that the other guy has copied correctly. If he has your call, don't send it again. If he doesn't have your call, send it until he does. If he needs your report, send ONLY the report, over and over again until he gets it. If he asks for confirmation of something, send R R R R R R, and nothing else. At the end of QSO and I'm the SP guy, I'll send TU TU TU TU if I need to let him know I copied his exchange. When your signal is vapor on the other end, anything beyond the bare minimum confuses things. And QSK is a wonderful thing, especially if you're weak. I don;t use full QSK at 1.5 kW -- the vacuum relays wear out too often -- but I always do at 100w or less. 73, Jim K9YC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors
When using a Ameritron remote antenna switch with SO-239 fittings, does anyone know a supplier for female F fitting to PL-259 adaptor ? Thanks, 73 Bruce-K1FZ Bruce, IMO, you have the wrong switch. A transmitting type high-power switch is a terrible device for receiving. The larger the relays (has a general rule) the greater the problem, and it has nothing to do with sealed (enclosed) or unsealed (open) relays. High current relays are very problematic when only used at low power. The problem surrounds the large contact area and lack of wetting currents, and no significant voltage and current ever being applied to burn through any film on the contact. There are hundreds of papers by relay manufacturers or others detailing this problem, and it even occurs with brand new sealed or enclosed relays. The only high power relays immune to this issue are vacuum type relays. I think you are heading for long term problems with adaptors and a transmitting switch. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
I worked a whole bunch of Europeans in the 160 meter contest along with UA9's and even 4Z1UF who had a good signal. My pet peeve is that when I hear only a weaker stations prefix but miss the suffix and ask for a repeat and request for example HB9 ? AGN all I hear is the prefix before the suffix is in the noise. The station knows i have the correct prefix and number but how do I get them just to send the missing portion which is crucial to completing the QSO? Even if I send HB9??? they return with de HB9### and the process repeats. If in such circumstances once the calling station realizes I have the correct prefix all they need do is send the two or three letters of the suffix several times. Resending the prefix is not helpful in high noise or qrm situation. I have tried SFX? SFX? but many stations are confused by that and keep sending their whole call. So here is my advice in just difficult circumstance: Do *not* repeat your whole call if the other station has the correct prefix and all they need is the remaining portion. I just wish more stations on TB would do this as it would enable them getting in the log correctly and save time. Time length of an opening to some parts of the world is everything in a crowded contest. Why waste it? 73, Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 12/4/2012 7:11 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On 12/3/2012 8:26 PM, Augie Gus Hansen wrote: as in CQ TEST KB0YH, with about a 1-2 second loop delay. I have NEVER found a CQ repeat interfal less than 2.5 seconds to be adequate to actually LISTEN for callers, and I often use 3 seconds. I strongly agree with the need to keep CQs short. I always have three CQs programmed. The shortest, automatic on F1, is TEST K9YC The next is CQ TEST K9YC, and the longest is CQ TEST K9YC K9YC. I start with the shortest, then the middle one, then the longer one when things are slow and I need to beat the bushes. When a QSO is finished, it's TU, a long space so someone could tail end, then K9YC. No 73, GL in the contest, no QSL, CFM,etc. If I think there might be any confusion about callsigns, I'll use F5 (his call) then F3 (TUK9YC) at the end of the QSO. All that extra crap takes time, and when I'm in SP mode, I'll tune past the guy who's wasting my time with it. I can average 80 Qs per hour in SP mode, but not waiting through that blather. :) I've contested with N6RO at his place. He's a top scoring guy (he's won SS nationally, doing it from the west coast), so I have a hard time finding fault with him! What Ken does is send YOUR call at the beginning of an exchange, when in SP mode. That's smart -- it makes sure both guys know who's working who under crowded band conditions when there can often be two stations running a few hundred Hz apart on different coasts, and callers answering both. BTW -- another good way to make sure that the other guy is working YOU, not someone else on your frequency, is to ask for a simple repeat of a short part of the exchange. If he responds, you know he's working you. As to being weak -- I strongly agree with N6RK's advice. I'll add this: never send ANYTHING again that the other guy has copied correctly. If he has your call, don't send it again. If he doesn't have your call, send it until he does. If he needs your report, send ONLY the report, over and over again until he gets it. If he asks for confirmation of something, send R R R R R R, and nothing else. At the end of QSO and I'm the SP guy, I'll send TU TU TU TU if I need to let him know I copied his exchange. When your signal is vapor on the other end, anything beyond the bare minimum confuses things. And QSK is a wonderful thing, especially if you're weak. I don;t use full QSK at 1.5 kW -- the vacuum relays wear out too often -- but I always do at 100w or less. 73, Jim K9YC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Delta Loop vs Antenna Analyzer
Hi David! I have this problem with my hand held antenna analyzer too. I figured out that it was picking up AM and FM ( and maybe TV ) broadcast signals and those were interfering with the readings. I now use my LP-100A RF meter with about 5 watts of RF to get accurate readings. Yes, lugging a QRP radio and RF meter out to the antenna is not near as handy as a small hand held RF analyzer, but at least you get stable, reliable and repeatable results. http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5981, http://www.telepostinc.com/lp100.html 73 Lloyd - N9LB -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com]On Behalf Of D Rodman MD Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 10:22 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Delta Loop vs Antenna Analyzer My 160m antenna died several weeks ago from a bad coax feed line and was restored just Sunday after the contest. I have tried several antenna analyzers and none seem to work with the loop antenna. I designed the antenna for 100 ohm feed and always wanted to put a half wavelength coax on an analyzer to measure R and J to achieve the best match. Calculated series transformer of 50 and 75 ohm coax seems to match the antenna quite well as anticipated. But, no matter how I try with any of my many devices, I can't get the boxes to work with the loop. The readings are not consistent. They just don't seem to like the antenna. Other wire or yagi antennas work as expected. Questions about if others have tried to measure loops or theoretical reasons why the various devices can't read the impedance are obvious and responses welcome. Thanks. David J Rodman, MD Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Ophthalmology SUNY/Buffalo Office 716-857-8654 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
I think it depends on how much you think you own the run frequency. If you really feel you own it worldwide, no need to send your call as part of the exchange while running. Or his call after its been established. (Obvious exception is sprints, SS, other exchanges that require it. But also as obviously N6RK's post is inapplicable in detail except for overall urging stick to good form.) If you feel doubtful you own the run frequency but don't want the competition to know it, again no need to send your own call in the exchange. Don't show any weakness. You may get some busted QSO's but if you are running most of the time, you will get the caller again later if he didn't think he worked you. At which point you just work him again, and DO NOT DO THIS DUPE THING. Unless it is an hour of fresh meat in SS, it faster to just work him again. One sign that there's another runner on your freq, maybe you can't hear, is dupes or callers being strangely out of phase. Of course clueless callers may be out of phase just because they are clueless, too. If he's not in supercheck partial, he's probably new to contesting. A big string of dupes? You just got spotted with a busted call! Be 100% about ID'ing after every QSO and don't be surprised if this takes many minutes to clear. Tim N3QE - Original Message - From: Joe Wilkowski [mailto:k...@k8fc.com] Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 07:09 PM To: 'Tree' t...@kkn.net Cc: topband@contesting.com topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest IMHO, this depends on what mode you are in. If you are searching and pouncing he already knows your call as he came back and gave you a report. So 5nn and section is perfectly fine here. If you are running, then sending his call and the report is pretty much sop. -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tree Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 6:55 PM To: Jim F. Cc: top Band; Richard (Rick) Karlquist Subject: Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest 3. Send only 5NN section. Do not send my call, BK, etc I'll actually disagree with this. Sending my call eliminates any confusion about who is being worked. In many situations on 160 - it is very handy. I once got called by W8JI after 10 minutes of CQing with no answers. I wasn't really sure he was working me or not since there were lots of people on the band that I couldn't hear (like all of Europe). Tree N6TR ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF
What's this...?! NO planned list operation...?! And you dare to call yourselves a DXpedition...?! T'is to laff...!!! ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ On 2012-12-03, at 6:26 PM, Bryan Buck wrote: HAHAHAHAHAH FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE After a lot of negotiation we are pleased to announce a multinational team of twelve is to undertake a Dxpedition to Bouvet Island from 25 March 2013 to 5 April 2013 using the callsign 3Y0IOF. We will be operating 24/7 with five stations covering all bands 160m-10m. We understand that Dxpeditions are all about you - the DX operator - therefore we are pleased to announce some exciting new innovations. We appreciate many of you feel you should not have to make any effort to work us. Accordingly, we are offering you the chance to call us on the telephone when you are ready for a QSO. That's right, we will give you a phone number and when you are ready you can ring us and we will immediately cease to work the pile up and call you on a frequency of your choice. Not only that, we will also ensure an email is sent to you directly after the QSO to confirm you are in the log. Furthermore, we are organizing a team of experts who, if you wish, will fly in and set up your rig on the required frequency, connect the antenna for you and make sure the heating or ventilation is on so it is nice and warm or cool in your shack as the case requires. Don't worry about propagation. We will make sure there is some between us as we understand that is our responsibility and it's our fault if there isn't. If that is not for you then don't worry we are just as happy to work you in a pile up. We realize that we will need to operate in accordance with your operating habits so therefore we will understand if you call over the top of another station we are trying to work, or when we are specifically calling a part of the world you do not reside in, or if you are simply calling aimlessly or while we are transmitting, or even if you call when you cannot hear us. We will do our best to work you despite all this and yes we know it's our fault if you do not make it into the log. We wish to acknowledge the value Frequency Cops bring to a Dxpedition so to recognize this we are going to specifically publicize some times when we will arrange for some operators to deliberately call us on our frequency instead of split. Frequency Cops can even register their availability with us to help us ensure these periods get maximum uptake by the Frequency Cop community. During these periods the Frequency Cops will be able to say or send up up! to their hearts content. (Note: we will make sure we tell the pile up to listen up and not down as the recent PT0S Dxpedition has taught us that Frequency Cops don't know how to send down in CW). We also don't want the tuner uppers to feel left out and like them we feel dummy loads are completely overrated. So when we are ready to transmit on a band we will give them the opportunity to tune up on our frequency before we start working the pile up. Each period will start with us sending our callsign and QDL (Quick Dummy Loaders) so they will know when to commence tuning up on us. We will allow for at least five minutes for this as we know how important it is for the tuner uppers to make sure their finals are good and ready. We acknowledge if they go bang it's our fault. Depending on demand we will every now and then send QDL while working a pile up so any tuner uppers late to the party can tune up on us as well. Unfortunately we will not have cluster access while we are on Bouvet but we know this will not stop you posting announcements and comments on the cluster about our Dxpedition. Some suggestions for you to try include saying what band you want us to QSY to or mode to operate on, the quality of our ops and the usual loud, can't hear them here, thanks for 7th band or yee hah comments. Likewise as we noted above we understand it's our fault if you cannot work us and therefore we accept in that case you will post on the cluster calling us the worst Dxpedition ever. We can't wait to be of service to you. The 3Y0IOF Team ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors
Bruce, if you insist on using the Ameritron, PL259 to F adapters are available at Tower Electronics in Green Bay, WI They have an online catalog. Ron N9AU -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 5:25 AM To: Bruce; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors When using a Ameritron remote antenna switch with SO-239 fittings, does anyone know a supplier for female F fitting to PL-259 adaptor ? Thanks, 73 Bruce-K1FZ Bruce, IMO, you have the wrong switch. A transmitting type high-power switch is a terrible device for receiving. The larger the relays (has a general rule) the greater the problem, and it has nothing to do with sealed (enclosed) or unsealed (open) relays. High current relays are very problematic when only used at low power. The problem surrounds the large contact area and lack of wetting currents, and no significant voltage and current ever being applied to burn through any film on the contact. There are hundreds of papers by relay manufacturers or others detailing this problem, and it even occurs with brand new sealed or enclosed relays. The only high power relays immune to this issue are vacuum type relays. I think you are heading for long term problems with adaptors and a transmitting switch. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
When a cw station asks for a fill I send my COMPLETE callsign. Why? a) My memory keyer or logging program has my full callsign, no partial callsign. I don't use the hand keyer just in case I have 'dead' fingers and make a mistake. b) It allows the other station to focus on my signal when other stations are calling at the same time near or on my frequency. c) It makes sure that the correct suffix is added to the prefix. d) It confirms my prefix if part of it is copied incorrectly. Patience is needed when ones signal is subject to 160m QSB. Sri Herb, I fully disagree. Doug -Original Message- I worked a whole bunch of Europeans in the 160 meter contest along with UA9's and even 4Z1UF who had a good signal. My pet peeve is that when I hear only a weaker stations prefix but miss the suffix and ask for a repeat and request for example HB9 ? AGN all I hear is the prefix before the suffix is in the noise. The station knows i have the correct prefix and number but how do I get them just to send the missing portion which is crucial to completing the QSO? Even if I send HB9??? they return with de HB9### and the process repeats. If in such circumstances once the calling station realizes I have the correct prefix all they need do is send the two or three letters of the suffix several times. Resending the prefix is not helpful in high noise or qrm situation. I have tried SFX? SFX? but many stations are confused by that and keep sending their whole call. So here is my advice in just difficult circumstance: Do *not* repeat your whole call if the other station has the correct prefix and all they need is the remaining portion. I just wish more stations on TB would do this as it would enable them getting in the log correctly and save time. Time length of an opening to some parts of the world is everything in a crowded contest. Why waste it? 73, Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF
WOW .. your announcement made my Day... Reallythis will be the model all future , ALL FUTURE Dxpeditions will emulate, :/ Wayne W3EA From: wh...@hawaii.rr.com To: topband@contesting.com Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:26:49 -1000 Subject: Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF HAHAHAHAHAH FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE After a lot of negotiation we are pleased to announce a multinational team of twelve is to undertake a Dxpedition to Bouvet Island from 25 March 2013 to 5 April 2013 using the callsign 3Y0IOF. We will be operating 24/7 with five stations covering all bands 160m-10m. We understand that Dxpeditions are all about you - the DX operator - therefore we are pleased to announce some exciting new innovations. We appreciate many of you feel you should not have to make any effort to work us. Accordingly, we are offering you the chance to call us on the telephone when you are ready for a QSO. That's right, we will give you a phone number and when you are ready you can ring us and we will immediately cease to work the pile up and call you on a frequency of your choice. Not only that, we will also ensure an email is sent to you directly after the QSO to confirm you are in the log. Furthermore, we are organizing a team of experts who, if you wish, will fly in and set up your rig on the required frequency, connect the antenna for you and make sure the heating or ventilation is on so it is nice and warm or cool in your shack as the case requires. Don't worry about propagation. We will make sure there is some between us as we understand that is our responsibility and it's our fault if there isn't. If that is not for you then don't worry we are just as happy to work you in a pile up. We realize that we will need to operate in accordance with your operating habits so therefore we will understand if you call over the top of another station we are trying to work, or when we are specifically calling a part of the world you do not reside in, or if you are simply calling aimlessly or while we are transmitting, or even if you call when you cannot hear us. We will do our best to work you despite all this and yes we know it's our fault if you do not make it into the log. We wish to acknowledge the value Frequency Cops bring to a Dxpedition so to recognize this we are going to specifically publicize some times when we will arrange for some operators to deliberately call us on our frequency instead of split. Frequency Cops can even register their availability with us to help us ensure these periods get maximum uptake by the Frequency Cop community. During these periods the Frequency Cops will be able to say or send up up! to their hearts content. (Note: we will make sure we tell the pile up to listen up and not down as the recent PT0S Dxpedition has taught us that Frequency Cops don't know how to send down in CW). We also don't want the tuner uppers to feel left out and like them we feel dummy loads are completely overrated. So when we are ready to transmit on a band we will give them the opportunity to tune up on our frequency before we start working the pile up. Each period will start with us sending our callsign and QDL (Quick Dummy Loaders) so they will know when to commence tuning up on us. We will allow for at least five minutes for this as we know how important it is for the tuner uppers to make sure their finals are good and ready. We acknowledge if they go bang it's our fault. Depending on demand we will every now and then send QDL while working a pile up so any tuner uppers late to the party can tune up on us as well. Unfortunately we will not have cluster access while we are on Bouvet but we know this will not stop you posting announcements and comments on the cluster about our Dxpedition. Some suggestions for you to try include saying what band you want us to QSY to or mode to operate on, the quality of our ops and the usual loud, can't hear them here, thanks for 7th band or yee hah comments. Likewise as we noted above we understand it's our fault if you cannot work us and therefore we accept in that case you will post on the cluster calling us the worst Dxpedition ever. We can't wait to be of service to you. The 3Y0IOF Team ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
Hi Jim, as in CQ TEST KB0YH, with about a 1-2 second loop delay. I have NEVER found a CQ repeat interfal less than 2.5 seconds to be adequate to actually LISTEN for callers, and I often use 3 seconds. You're right. I wasn't near the radio last night so I guessed at my delay setting. I just checked my K3 MSG RPT setting and was surprised to see 3 seconds. I have used 2 seconds at times, but did find it to be a bit too short. I strongly agree with the need to keep CQs short. I always have three CQs programmed. The shortest, automatic on F1, is TEST K9YC The next is CQ TEST K9YC, and the longest is CQ TEST K9YC K9YC. I start with the shortest, then the middle one, then the longer one when things are slow and I need to beat the bushes. Good idea. I'll try that next time. 73, Gus KB0YH ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: ARRL 160 Stories wanted
Hi Topbanders! Once again, I will be writing the report on the ARRL 160 Meter contest for QST and ARRL website. Send me your stories! Personal experiences, antenna and equipment notes, observations on this contest vs. past events, etc. One thing I will be emphasizing is that conditions were a lot better than some hams assumed would be the case with the increased solar activity of Cycle 24. Anyone who sat out the 'test thinking it would be a bust missed a good party. Note that I always go through the Soapbox comments on '3830' and ARRL website. Although the space is very limited in QST, the web report can include a lot more info. Hopefully, I can include a wide range of different experiences and perspectives on the 2012 contest. (Please forward to your local/regional club lists!) Thanks es 73, Gary Breed K9AY k9ayatk9aydotcom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF
I will be out of town for that period I wonder if there is any way They could leave a couple of days early to accommodate me. Also I would like to start on my SSTV DXCC award. Any way they could bring some SSTV equipment. I will start posting questions several times a day on the cluster around the 22nd or 23rd to see if they have honored my requests. 73 Joe K2UF With enough THRUST pig fly just fine. -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Eddy Swynar Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 8:24 AM To: Bryan Buck Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF What's this...?! NO planned list operation...?! And you dare to call yourselves a DXpedition...?! T'is to laff...!!! ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ On 2012-12-03, at 6:26 PM, Bryan Buck wrote: HAHAHAHAHAH FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE After a lot of negotiation we are pleased to announce a multinational team of twelve is to undertake a Dxpedition to Bouvet Island from 25 March 2013 to 5 April 2013 using the callsign 3Y0IOF. We will be operating 24/7 with five stations covering all bands 160m-10m. We understand that Dxpeditions are all about you - the DX operator - therefore we are pleased to announce some exciting new innovations. We appreciate many of you feel you should not have to make any effort to work us. Accordingly, we are offering you the chance to call us on the telephone when you are ready for a QSO. That's right, we will give you a phone number and when you are ready you can ring us and we will immediately cease to work the pile up and call you on a frequency of your choice. Not only that, we will also ensure an email is sent to you directly after the QSO to confirm you are in the log. Furthermore, we are organizing a team of experts who, if you wish, will fly in and set up your rig on the required frequency, connect the antenna for you and make sure the heating or ventilation is on so it is nice and warm or cool in your shack as the case requires. Don't worry about propagation. We will make sure there is some between us as we understand that is our responsibility and it's our fault if there isn't. If that is not for you then don't worry we are just as happy to work you in a pile up. We realize that we will need to operate in accordance with your operating habits so therefore we will understand if you call over the top of another station we are trying to work, or when we are specifically calling a part of the world you do not reside in, or if you are simply calling aimlessly or while we are transmitting, or even if you call when you cannot hear us. We will do our best to work you despite all this and yes we know it's our fault if you do not make it into the log. We wish to acknowledge the value Frequency Cops bring to a Dxpedition so to recognize this we are going to specifically publicize some times when we will arrange for some operators to deliberately call us on our frequency instead of split. Frequency Cops can even register their availability with us to help us ensure these periods get maximum uptake by the Frequency Cop community. During these periods the Frequency Cops will be able to say or send up up! to their hearts content. (Note: we will make sure we tell the pile up to listen up and not down as the recent PT0S Dxpedition has taught us that Frequency Cops don't know how to send down in CW). We also don't want the tuner uppers to feel left out and like them we feel dummy loads are completely overrated. So when we are ready to transmit on a band we will give them the opportunity to tune up on our frequency before we start working the pile up. Each period will start with us sending our callsign and QDL (Quick Dummy Loaders) so they will know when to commence tuning up on us. We will allow for at least five minutes for this as we know how important it is for the tuner uppers to make sure their finals are good and ready. We acknowledge if they go bang it's our fault. Depending on demand we will every now and then send QDL while working a pile up so any tuner uppers late to the party can tune up on us as well. Unfortunately we will not have cluster access while we are on Bouvet but we know this will not stop you posting announcements and comments on the cluster about our Dxpedition. Some suggestions for you to try include saying what band you want us to QSY to or mode to operate on, the quality of our ops and the usual loud, can't hear them here, thanks for 7th band or yee hah comments. Likewise as we noted above we understand it's our fault if you cannot work us and therefore we accept in that case you will post on the cluster calling us the worst Dxpedition ever. We can't wait to be of service to you. The 3Y0IOF Team ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband
Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF
On 2012-12-04, at 11:59 AM, Bill Cromwell wrote: My antenna isn't very good and I have only 20 watts TX power. Can they accept an emailed QSO? Hi Bill, I'll try that again (had a power failure here!)... They will accept an e-mail QSO only via LotA, and an eQSL only! (There---that's better! Hi) ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors
Reference to my email, I did not state I had an Ameritron. In fact I have no remotely switched receiving antennas. All receive antennas are switched in the shack. Come to my QTH and walk the field and woods and see.(Watch out for Deer ticks.) The Ameritron reference was to give an idea what was wanted for an adaptor. Also, the adaptors are for a friend. I used a reference that allowed a lot of speculation. I should have said does anyone know where someone could purchase a female F fitting to PL-259 adaptor. ( ; ) Thanks to all that helped by giving a place to make a purchase. 73 Bruce - Original Message - From: Ronald Gorski r.gor...@astronautics.com To: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com; Bruce k...@myfairpoint.net; topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 5:37 AM Subject: Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors Bruce, if you insist on using the Ameritron, PL259 to F adapters are available at Tower Electronics in Green Bay, WI They have an online catalog. Ron N9AU -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 5:25 AM To: Bruce; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors When using a Ameritron remote antenna switch with SO-239 fittings, does anyone know a supplier for female F fitting to PL-259 adaptor ? Thanks, 73 Bruce-K1FZ Bruce, IMO, you have the wrong switch. A transmitting type high-power switch is a terrible device for receiving. The larger the relays (has a general rule) the greater the problem, and it has nothing to do with sealed (enclosed) or unsealed (open) relays. High current relays are very problematic when only used at low power. The problem surrounds the large contact area and lack of wetting currents, and no significant voltage and current ever being applied to burn through any film on the contact. There are hundreds of papers by relay manufacturers or others detailing this problem, and it even occurs with brand new sealed or enclosed relays. The only high power relays immune to this issue are vacuum type relays. I think you are heading for long term problems with adaptors and a transmitting switch. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
I'm weighing in with Tom here. The reciprocity theorem in electromagnetism is well known, and it shows that no amount of focusing, defocusing, scattering, refraction, or reflection will by themselves cause one way propagation. If you take away the earth's magnetic field and its attendant Faraday rotation, I do not see any other reason for one-way propagation if noise levels at both ends of the path are equal. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reciprocity_(electromagnetism) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_effect#Faraday_rotation_in_the_ionosphere . 73, Carl WS7L Tom, It is a known that the ionosphere is not a perfect sphere. It is always moving and it is lumpy and tilted. Together these occurrences can cause focusing and defocusing of the wave due to deformities especially if they are concave or convex. One-way-propagation can reveal itself as a deep and/or prolonged fade on only one end of the link because of the aforementioned reasons.Of course fades can be caused by other reasons, such as multiple paths, etc. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Spam:****, Re: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
Doung, So many times I just hear the prefix and the suffix drops out or is covered by noise. It maybe a mental thing as I have no other explanation where the prefix comes through time and time but the suffix is lost. Since I know what the correct suffix is, sending only the missing information make so much sense and saves valuable time. In such cases sending only the missing data is what I would recommend for stations struggling to get in the log as the prefix is already confirmed to both of the stations. So many times DX-peditions will not get my call correctly and butcher a portion of it...like KV4Z ur 5NN to which I immediately reply FZ...FZ...FZ KV4FZ K This procedure works every time especially layers deep in piles up. Thanks for your remarks, Herb, KV4FZ On 12/4/2012 9:51 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: When a cw station asks for a fill I send my COMPLETE callsign. Why? a) My memory keyer or logging program has my full callsign, no partial callsign. I don't use the hand keyer just in case I have 'dead' fingers and make a mistake. b) It allows the other station to focus on my signal when other stations are calling at the same time near or on my frequency. c) It makes sure that the correct suffix is added to the prefix. d) It confirms my prefix if part of it is copied incorrectly. Patience is needed when ones signal is subject to 160m QSB. Sri Herb, I fully disagree. Doug -Original Message- I worked a whole bunch of Europeans in the 160 meter contest along with UA9's and even 4Z1UF who had a good signal. My pet peeve is that when I hear only a weaker stations prefix but miss the suffix and ask for a repeat and request for example HB9 ? AGN all I hear is the prefix before the suffix is in the noise. The station knows i have the correct prefix and number but how do I get them just to send the missing portion which is crucial to completing the QSO? Even if I send HB9??? they return with de HB9### and the process repeats. If in such circumstances once the calling station realizes I have the correct prefix all they need do is send the two or three letters of the suffix several times. Resending the prefix is not helpful in high noise or qrm situation. I have tried SFX? SFX? but many stations are confused by that and keep sending their whole call. So here is my advice in just difficult circumstance: Do *not* repeat your whole call if the other station has the correct prefix and all they need is the remaining portion. I just wish more stations on TB would do this as it would enable them getting in the log correctly and save time. Time length of an opening to some parts of the world is everything in a crowded contest. Why waste it? 73, Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
I've often thought that some one-way propagation is simply due to the differences in antennas. For example, two stations with the same power, ambient noise level, etc. are receiving on Beverages pointed at each other, but their TX antennas have different takeoff angles and/or patterns. For example. station A with an NVIS antenna (like a low horizontal loop) might hear station B who is transmitting on a vertical, but maybe not vice versa. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
It is a known that the ionosphere is not a perfect sphere. It is always moving and it is lumpy and tilted. Together these occurrences can cause focusing and defocusing of the wave due to deformities especially if they are concave or convex. One-way-propagation can reveal itself as a deep and/or prolonged fade on only one end of the link because of the aforementioned reasons.Of course fades can be caused by other reasons, such as multiple paths, etc. I can't recall anyone who has made a study of this citing that as a reason for non-reciprocity, and Carl's recent post about a broadcast study said the effect someone reported seeing was only on a west-east path and no one knew why. The reasons theorists have cited have only to due with gyrorotation. I'm not saying you are wrong, but what have they missed to not bring the issues you highlight up? In all of the conditions you mention, what specific mechanism causes a path to be non-reciprocal at any instant of time? I know why things like lossy networks can be non-reciprocal in impedance, but what is the mechanism at work? 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors
Reference to my email, I did not state I had an Ameritron. In fact I have no remotely switched receiving antennas. All receive antennas are switched in the shack. Come to my QTH and walk the field and woods and see.(Watch out for Deer ticks.) The Ameritron reference was to give an idea what was wanted for an adaptor. Also, the adaptors are for a friend. Hi Bruce, That aside, my comments apply to all relays in receive paths. Zero current and voltage or near zero current and voltage relays have a very high failure rate due to contact resistance. This frequently happens inside amplifiers (even with brand new sealed relays) and in higher power antenna switches. I just thought I'd point out, with the possible exception of vacuum relays, higher current relays are much more problematic than low current relays. It's an odd case of smaller is better. While some may think otherwise, this is well documented and is clearly reflected in field problem reports of antenna switches. The problem has been documented since at least the early 1900's. A new problem has appeared in enclosed relays, where materials in the relay slowly leech and build a very thin film. There is cleaning procedure on my website: http://www.w8ji.com/relay_cleaning_and_life.htm Just a bit of trivial information that may someday help someone, because it is one of the leading field problems every manufacturer using higher current relays to dry switch signal circuits has. It even occurs, according to relay suppliers, when lower current LED traffic lights replace old incandescent lamps. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
Yes, a good point that I neglected. This entirely circumvents my yammerings about reciprocity. Reciprocity is a characteristic of a single pair of ports in a network. Introducing separate receive antennas can surely cause a one way effect. Consider what happens when I hook up a dummy load as a Rx antenna ... 73 and thanks for listening, Carl WS7L I've often thought that some one-way propagation is simply due to the differences in antennas. For example, two stations with the same power, ambient noise level, etc. are receiving on Beverages pointed at each other, but their TX antennas have different takeoff angles and/or patterns. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: 3Y0IOF
DXpeditioners: Do you think you could take my word as a gentleman and enter me in your log now for a QSO on every band? Sure would save a lot of aggravation later. Bill VE3NH ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3Y0IOF
Could you also please log in to the ON4KST topband chat so I can confirm my QSO with you there. You can see my callsign right there in case you only copied a partial. Otherwise I have to ask the other chat participants who can hear you if you got my callsign correct. Dang. This is fun. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: one- way propagation
Interesting theories and observations regarding one way propagation..My take is that most of the seemingly one way prop is more dependent on operator skill and the local qrn at one end of the circuit..With the current conditions this past 12 months most usually strong signals on the band are often attenuated due to less than a reliable path..I hear many signals that may be only S1-3and few hear a station calling them..These conditions may give the impression of one way prop but it is more likely due to qrn conditions at the listening end...I am looking at this from the VK cross the Equator Summer/Winter differences which have a big influence on making a contact..My observations over 35 years show that there is propagation most of the time all year if stations take the time and patience to listen for DX.. Bob..VK3ZL.. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
Carlos, That is also true. The incident wave when entering into the ionosphere splits into two elliptically polarized waves, and are likely in opposite polarization from each other as well as having different amplitudes. As someone else mentioned, the W-E E-W is a phenomenon we don't understand yet. Is your WF horizontal antenna much higher than the vertical? Jim, KR9U -Original Message- From: N4IS [mailto:n...@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:18 PM To: jbw...@comcast.net; 'Tom W8JI'; topband@contesting.com Subject: RE: Topband: one-way propagation Jim Not always, polarization plays a lot on 160m, in special W-E E-W. Sometimes a signal from Africa dive on the QSB and disappear from the Vertical WF and switching to the horizontal WF the signal is peaking, other times I only can hear the DX signal horizontal. I don't call this unidirectional because I use a vertical TX all the time and the DX hears me well even the signal is arriving horizontal. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Wolf Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 3:41 PM To: 'Tom W8JI'; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: one-way propagation Tom, It is a known that the ionosphere is not a perfect sphere. It is always moving and it is lumpy and tilted. Together these occurrences can cause focusing and defocusing of the wave due to deformities especially if they are concave or convex. One-way-propagation can reveal itself as a deep and/or prolonged fade on only one end of the link because of the aforementioned reasons.Of course fades can be caused by other reasons, such as multiple paths, etc. Jim, KR9U -Original Message- From: Tom W8JI [mailto:w...@w8ji.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:45 AM To: jbw...@comcast.net; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: one-way propagation To expand a little on Carl's explanation, the ionosphere is not as isotropy as we commonly imagine - in that it is not a nice smooth balloon shaped surface to bounce a signal off of. Instead, there are varying degrees of irregularity, not unlike a sandy desert where the wind moves the landscape around and creates moving peaks and valleys. So imagine the ionosphere in this condition when a signal from one direction has a nice reflection down to the receiver, but in the other direction, it is reflected at a different angle and lands somewhere else. Jim, KR9U There is no possible combination of refractions or reflections that is not reciprocal in both directions. If there is a mechanism at work, it is at an entirely different level than simple multiple reflections. After 50 years on 160, I'm still unsure if one way propagation exists. All of the one way I have seen and taken the time to look at involves noise levels, QRM, or just the capability of the stations. For example, prior to sunset here my local noise is very low. Even on a quiet winter night in a quiet direction, noise floor increases 10-15 dB as it gets darker and conditions improve. I can hear Europeans that I have no hope of working (on 40 meters this happens all day long). Their noise is high (even in a quiet location) because it is dark. As it gets darker their signals come up, and so does my noise and QRM, but eventually they hear me. The opposite occurs at sunrise. There is the same noise floor drop after daylight. This means I can hear JA's working west coast stations long after they stop being able to hear me. Local storms and local QRM, and the direction of that stuff, is also is a huge factor in reciprocity. Sorting it all out is very complicated, and involves far more than observing sometimes people at one end don't answer. Sorting it out would involve and **require** calibrated observations of absolute signal levels and noise levels at both ends. I think this is why one way prop is, at best, arguable. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
Jim Is your WF horizontal antenna much higher than the vertical? Yes, the HWF boom is at 116ft and the VWF=BWF as I used to call it , the boon is at 50ft Both antennas has RDF of 11.5 db, the HWF has 44 ft boom and the VWF has 50 ft, but almos the same negative gain, and high F/B and F/S the same too. The HWF has two horizontal loops cancelling each other, end feed, as a result the takeoff angle is 36 degree and there is a deep null from signals coming from the side and from 90 degree, same as F/S for the vertical WF(VWF). Regards JC -Original Message- From: N4IS [mailto:n...@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:18 PM To: jbw...@comcast.net; 'Tom W8JI'; topband@contesting.com Subject: RE: Topband: one-way propagation Jim Not always, polarization plays a lot on 160m, in special W-E E-W. Sometimes a signal from Africa dive on the QSB and disappear from the Vertical WF and switching to the horizontal WF the signal is peaking, other times I only can hear the DX signal horizontal. I don't call this unidirectional because I use a vertical TX all the time and the DX hears me well even the signal is arriving horizontal. Regards Jose Carlos N4IS -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Wolf Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 3:41 PM To: 'Tom W8JI'; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: one-way propagation Tom, It is a known that the ionosphere is not a perfect sphere. It is always moving and it is lumpy and tilted. Together these occurrences can cause focusing and defocusing of the wave due to deformities especially if they are concave or convex. One-way-propagation can reveal itself as a deep and/or prolonged fade on only one end of the link because of the aforementioned reasons.Of course fades can be caused by other reasons, such as multiple paths, etc. Jim, KR9U -Original Message- From: Tom W8JI [mailto:w...@w8ji.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:45 AM To: jbw...@comcast.net; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: one-way propagation To expand a little on Carl's explanation, the ionosphere is not as isotropy as we commonly imagine - in that it is not a nice smooth balloon shaped surface to bounce a signal off of. Instead, there are varying degrees of irregularity, not unlike a sandy desert where the wind moves the landscape around and creates moving peaks and valleys. So imagine the ionosphere in this condition when a signal from one direction has a nice reflection down to the receiver, but in the other direction, it is reflected at a different angle and lands somewhere else. Jim, KR9U There is no possible combination of refractions or reflections that is not reciprocal in both directions. If there is a mechanism at work, it is at an entirely different level than simple multiple reflections. After 50 years on 160, I'm still unsure if one way propagation exists. All of the one way I have seen and taken the time to look at involves noise levels, QRM, or just the capability of the stations. For example, prior to sunset here my local noise is very low. Even on a quiet winter night in a quiet direction, noise floor increases 10-15 dB as it gets darker and conditions improve. I can hear Europeans that I have no hope of working (on 40 meters this happens all day long). Their noise is high (even in a quiet location) because it is dark. As it gets darker their signals come up, and so does my noise and QRM, but eventually they hear me. The opposite occurs at sunrise. There is the same noise floor drop after daylight. This means I can hear JA's working west coast stations long after they stop being able to hear me. Local storms and local QRM, and the direction of that stuff, is also is a huge factor in reciprocity. Sorting it all out is very complicated, and involves far more than observing sometimes people at one end don't answer. Sorting it out would involve and **require** calibrated observations of absolute signal levels and noise levels at both ends. I think this is why one way prop is, at best, arguable. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
Tom, I don't think anyone takes issue with the concept of propagated noise raising the noise level on one side of the QSO while the other side is still quiet. Anyone who looks for it will see it if their QTH is relatively quiet, and I regularly see the 10-15 dB variation you've often cited. But what Carl has cited here was apparently serious scientific observation that showed a difference of nearly 10dB. That's a lot, and if they were measuring field strength and not signal to noise ratio, it means that there's something going on that we haven't figured out yet. That observation is one important part of the scientific process. Another part is starting from that observation and trying to understand why. Many times in my life I've observed something through careful observation, then worked to try to understand it. Our concept of reciprocity applies to linear systems that are time-invariant, and, just as with a wired network of passive components, the source and termination impedances are part of the network. With propagation, it's generally well known that the signal path can mess with polarization, and it's not hard to believe that that effect could be different in different directions. 73, Jim K9YC On 12/4/2012 2:09 PM, Tom W8JI wrote: I can't recall anyone who has made a study of this citing that as a reason for non-reciprocity, and Carl's recent post about a broadcast study said the effect someone reported seeing was only on a west-east path and no one knew why. The reasons theorists have cited have only to due with gyrorotation. I'm not saying you are wrong, but what have they missed to not bring the issues you highlight up? In all of the conditions you mention, what specific mechanism causes a path to be non-reciprocal at any instant of time? I know why things like lossy networks can be non-reciprocal in impedance, but what is the mechanism at work? ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one- way propagation
an added note/comment here During the XZ0A expedition, I think we conclusively proved that: 1: Skew paths exist and are repeatable 2: the arrival angle of the signals is NOT reciprocal. The arrival angle of the XZ0A signal as heard in the eastern/central US was reasonably normal, and extended into sunrise in the way we have generally come to expect, Direct angle measurements were, of course, not made, and are unlikely to be measurable except by inference. The arrival angle of the signals from NA as heard at XZ0A were clearly and repeatedly very high. Beverage antennas did NOT hear the signals, whereas a very low dipole heard the signals fine, and repeatedly, night after night. the point is that if we received exclusively on the beverages, we would have an apparent difference in signal strength of at least 15 dB - the apparent level of the signal arriving at XZ0A would be 15 dB less than the XZ0A signal as measured in NA, with comparable transmit ERP. TX was 2KW into a full size elevated radials quarter wave (a 200 ft tower with an insulator a quarter wave down from the top) this TX level is comparable to many higher performance stations in NA and significantly less ERP than some stations with large TX arrays, The noise floor was definitely an issue, us being in the middle of Asia, BUT, when there is 20 dB difference between the signal heard on ANY beverage, and the signal heard on a full size dipole at 10 ft, its pretty conclusive that the pattern of the antennas was a serious effect. The relative noise level heard on the dipole was still quite a lot higher than we would have liked- the Asia noise propagates at high angles as well as low ones, but was comparable to the beverage noise floor, less some directive effects the point is, the path is NOT symmetrical. A number of complex explanations have been put forth, and I'm waiting for occams razor to slice down to the meat. Robin Critchell, WA6CDR (XZ0A XZ1N VP6DX) - Original Message - From: Doug Renwick ve...@sasktel.net To: 'Robert Briggs' vk...@bigpond.com; topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 17:14 Subject: Re: Topband: one- way propagation Nope, Nope. I am a firm believer in one-way propagation on 160m, having witnessed it many times. Let me give you a recent example. In the last weekends contest I worked LY7M. We both run decent stations. We exchanged emails after including actual signal strength. Saulius copied me 579; I copied him 539 with my 4-square. When I called he came right back to me. QRN, QRM, QSB were not a factor at my end. Often I will hear a weak EU station calling CQ will little response. I call and I am copied immediately. Anecdotal you say. True but many times experience trumps theory. Doug -Original Message- Interesting theories and observations regarding one way propagation..My take is that most of the seemingly one way prop is more dependent on operator skill and the local qrn at one end of the circuit..With the current conditions this past 12 months most usually strong signals on the band are often attenuated due to less than a reliable path..I hear many signals that may be only S1-3and few hear a station calling them..These conditions may give the impression of one way prop but it is more likely due to qrn conditions at the listening end...I am looking at this from the VK cross the Equator Summer/Winter differences which have a big influence on making a contact..My observations over 35 years show that there is propagation most of the time all year if stations take the time and patience to listen for DX.. Bob..VK3ZL.. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one- way propagation
Doug Nope, Nope. I am a firm believer in one-way propagation on 160m, having witnessed it many times. Can we agree, that we disagree.? When the signal is going up the polarization does not matter because after the first refraction the signal become elliptical, that's why the DX station independent of the polarization of the signal arriving here , always can copy me. I also witnessed many times the DX signal arriving only horizontal, including signals from. If the DX signal is arriving horizontal you won't be able to copy using your 4 SQ. even a high dipole does not do it because the dipole has no directivity, The RDF is very low, a dipole is not a receiver antenna. The fact you can't copy the signal does not mean that it is not there. It is special true for LP when I can copy signals very strong on the horizontal WV via SSW and not a single beep on the vertical HF, During the last 2 season I worked XU7ACY on 160m over 15 times (logging a QSO) ,and heard him way over 60 times, only with horizontal polarization. Same thing happened several times with Bobby VK3ZL, and it is not the local noise level. 73's JC N4IS ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors
- Original Message - From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com To: Bruce k...@myfairpoint.net; topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:24 AM Subject: Re: Topband: F fitting adaptors When using a Ameritron remote antenna switch with SO-239 fittings, does anyone know a supplier for female F fitting to PL-259 adaptor ? Thanks, 73 Bruce-K1FZ Bruce, IMO, you have the wrong switch. A transmitting type high-power switch is a terrible device for receiving. The larger the relays (has a general rule) the greater the problem, and it has nothing to do with sealed (enclosed) or unsealed (open) relays. High current relays are very problematic when only used at low power. The problem surrounds the large contact area and lack of wetting currents, and no significant voltage and current ever being applied to burn through any film on the contact. There are hundreds of papers by relay manufacturers or others detailing this problem, and it even occurs with brand new sealed or enclosed relays. The only high power relays immune to this issue are vacuum type relays. I think you are heading for long term problems with adaptors and a transmitting switch. 73 Tom While Ive experienced vacuum relays having a problem on receive a reversal of the coil wires took care of it, that was obviously a magnetising issue as has been mentioned often over the years. OTOH the pair of Ameritron RCS-4's Id used for up to 20+ years never had an intermittent problem or lightning induced damage (a benefit of a big relay) they had somewhat poor isolation due to the daisy chain sequencing design and PC board layout and were replaced by a HB unit using sealed microwave relays. Now they wll probably blow from lightning even with the protection included. I would think the Ameritron RCS-10 would be an ideal solution for a multiple Beverage installation as the cost is reasonable considering the alternatives. Carl KM1H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Fw: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest
- Original Message - From: Mike Coreen Smith To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:23 PM Subject: Re: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest I would have to agree with Herb 100%, in fact, I believe in this past ARRL 160, Herb got me as VE9?? and I sent AA AA (maybe I sent AA 3 times, I don't recall) and he came right back with VE9AA 5NN etc. and we finished very quickly. If I'm in SP mode and the running stn sends to me VE9A? or VE9?? I will usually reply with AA AA or AA AA VE9AA or some variation thereof. If I get a ?? from the running stn, I presume he's confused or doesn't hardly hear me at all, then I'll go the VE9AA VE9AA route. I would say in the majority of cases though, AA AA or AA AA VE9AA works. If I hear VE8?? sent (which I sometimes do) I'll send my full call only. I know when I am running and I send WB1?? and I hear this back: VE9AA VE9AA de WB1ABC WB1ABC , I would've rathern heard ABC ABC ABC ABC (or just ABC ABC). Better use of time and it's only the suffix that I needed. Now, whether that's due to there being so few VE9's in contests and DX pileups, super check partial SCP, or people actually remembering me (gasp!) I don't know, but most guys get me the 2nd time around, QRM/QSB/QRN or whatever. Mike VE9AA -- Doung, So many times I just hear the prefix and the suffix drops out or is covered by noise. It maybe a mental thing as I have no other explanation where the prefix comes through time and time but the suffix is lost. Since I know what the correct suffix is, sending only the missing information make so much sense and saves valuable time. In such cases sending only the missing data is what I would recommend for stations struggling to get in the log as the prefix is already confirmed to both of the stations. So many times DX-peditions will not get my call correctly and butcher a portion of it...like KV4Z ur 5NN to which I immediately reply FZ...FZ...FZ KV4FZ K This procedure works every time especially layers deep in piles up. Thanks for your remarks, Herb, KV4FZ Mike, Coreen Corey Smith 699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge NB Canada E6L 1T1 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one- way propagation
Here some interesting paper about LF MF polarization http://www.ann-geophys.net/22/1705/2004/angeo-22-1705-2004.pdf This paper, High-latitude propagation studies using a meridional chain of LF/MF/HF receivers Fig. 5. (a) Polarization of 50-5000 kHz signals recorded at Churchill, Manitoba, on 1-2 October 1997. White pixels indicate left-hand polarization, black pixels indicate right-hand polarization, and gray pixels indicate indeterminant polarization. (b) Power spectral density of the same 50-5000 kHz signals. Received signals above 1MHz are predominantly left-hand polarized except in the interval 09:00-12:00UT, 1-4 h before sunrise, when righthand waves dominate at frequencies above about 3Mhz. Figure 5 shows a possibly related effect occuring near the dawn terminator but involving wave polarization. The bottom panel shows a spectrogram of 50-5000 kHz signals recorded at Churchill, Manitoba, for 20 h, starting at 20:00 UT on 1 October 1997, a geomagnetically quiet day for which the signals show the usual diurnal pattern. 7'3 N4IS JC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one- way propagation
Jose, Interesting paper, I'll have to poor over it some more to digest it. Thanks, Jim, KR9U -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of N4IS Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 9:05 PM To: 'Doug Renwick'; 'Robert Briggs'; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: one- way propagation Here some interesting paper about LF MF polarization http://www.ann-geophys.net/22/1705/2004/angeo-22-1705-2004.pdf This paper, High-latitude propagation studies using a meridional chain of LF/MF/HF receivers Fig. 5. (a) Polarization of 50-5000 kHz signals recorded at Churchill, Manitoba, on 1-2 October 1997. White pixels indicate left-hand polarization, black pixels indicate right-hand polarization, and gray pixels indicate indeterminant polarization. (b) Power spectral density of the same 50-5000 kHz signals. Received signals above 1MHz are predominantly left-hand polarized except in the interval 09:00-12:00UT, 1-4 h before sunrise, when righthand waves dominate at frequencies above about 3Mhz. Figure 5 shows a possibly related effect occuring near the dawn terminator but involving wave polarization. The bottom panel shows a spectrogram of 50-5000 kHz signals recorded at Churchill, Manitoba, for 20 h, starting at 20:00 UT on 1 October 1997, a geomagnetically quiet day for which the signals show the usual diurnal pattern. 7'3 N4IS JC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF
I'm in as well. Do you take CC or PayPal? Gary KA1J DXpeditioners: Do you think you could take my word as a gentleman and enter me in your log now for a QSO on every band? Sure would save a lot of aggravation later. Bill VE3NH ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF
Count me in too. Can you give me a senior ham discount ? I just turned 65. Can you also contact the ARRL LOTW group and update my countries total after logging me in ? thanks so much Bob K6UJ On Dec 4, 2012, at 7:08 PM, Gary Smith wrote: I'm in as well. Do you take CC or PayPal? Gary KA1J DXpeditioners: Do you think you could take my word as a gentleman and enter me in your log now for a QSO on every band? Sure would save a lot of aggravation later. Bill VE3NH ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: dx on tb
ON4KST, skimmers, clasters wrong way is guaranteed to ham radio. Ham radio is not bussines, but hobby. Gd DX for Christmas 73 slavek ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 CW
Hi ! For all those who are complaining about noise and QSB in the recent test, i strongly recommend to do this contest from Europe. Then You know what QSB really means. It took me 6 hrs to get a mere 100+ stns in the bag. Many more heard just fragmentarily and they never became copyable. Everybody complaining about weak sigs and being on the NA-continent, does this from a very comfortable position. 73 de wolfdf2py ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
