Re: Topband: DX window
...and that loss of the DX window is sadly, dear readers, why you will seldom hear DX stations outside of Europe and North America CQing on 160m in the CQ contests. We 'search and pounce' and the loud Eu and NA superstations who can hold a frequency benefit. For those not blessed with a four-square or a big vertical and lots of watts (i.e. the vast majority), this means looking for us outside of a contest is the way. Bit of a shame really, but that's (so-called) progress. Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ SNIP: That so called dx window on 160m does not exist...It hasn't existed for many years. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: (no subject)
Hi Jim confirm half call on the band and finish the on4kst not hamradio. Can you talk on skype its better, no qrm no qsb mostly 59 Slavek . ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: fcp question
Hello friends i been looking closely at the FCP antenna system. actually a iam using an inverted L antenna,about 126 ft after tuned to 1.4 swr. the vertical portion of the antenna is about 45ft and the other portion in horizontal position. the feet point is at the botton of the vertical portion just about 1 ft of the ground. my question is if i install the fcp system at 8 feet hight that will cut about 7 ft of the vertical portion,could i make the installation of the fcp shorter than the 8 feet ? or the inverted le will work ok with just 37 feet vertical section? thanks KP2BH/KP2DX jimmy ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Vertical vs. Shunt-Fed Tower and Detuning
After many frustrating experiences with unwelcome interaction between various 160 antennas and towers, I am thinking about going back to basics by removing all the other 160 wires, and shunt feeding the 110 foot tower (which has a number of yagis on it). All else being equal (such as ground system), are there reasons why a shunt-fed tower would work differently than a vertical of the same height, on an insulated base ? 73, Steve, N2IC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com Hi Steve and All, I was writing about my tests a few years ago but maybe it will be useful for some... I was using a Half Sloper on 20m high tower with TH6DXX on the top. I was very satisfied with this antenna and it gave me 280 DXCC that time. Anyway I decided to check how shunt fed tower will behave...I had relays on wires of sloper so I was able to make tests during QSOs in a real time. After more than 30 QSOs with stations of a distance above 5000 km I decided to stay with shunt fed system..95 % correspondents gave me 1 to 2 S better report when using the tower. I have to add the tower is only 4m from my house ( 9m high). Regarding detuning... I have K9AY about 30m from a tower and I was not very satisfied with it so I suspected the tower affects it. I made detuning described by John ON4UN (LB DXing fourth edition page7-94 fig.7-135) . I did it for both 80 and 160m so I'm able to switch it on TB on and off ( switching to 80m).. the difference is huge , the null at the back can be worse even 2 S when the antenna is not detuned. 73 GL Rys SP5EWY ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
A way to bring back the DX Window is to not work US stations who call CQ in the window. Boycott them if you will. Dave WX7G ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
That is exactly what I did. I bypassed the US/VE stations in there calling CQ. I felt they were being selfish and not part of the fun. Gary KA1J A way to bring back the DX Window is to not work US stations who call CQ in the window. Boycott them if you will. Dave WX7G ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
After spending 12 nights-in-a-row straining to hear and assemble thousands of weak calls, I would cautiously agree with Herb: if the DX clearly has the prefix, just send the missing letters. Maybe it is mental, maybe something else, but time and again I heard clearly (almost loud) the caller's prefix and number, just to experience the rest kind of fizzle into something weak and incoherent ... This happened so many times that I was ready for it, focusing only on the suffix, and still many times I could not copy it, while the prefix came through (almost) loud and clear. It must be that you can hear what you know or expect, while it is much harder to hear and decode something random. But that does not explain the whole thing. How does one get the prefix so many times correctly when the suffix just fizzles into nothing. I have checked with the other operators on PT0S and they had similar experiences. Perhaps there is some hearing mechanism at work, similar to vision; where acuity diminishes with usage... 73, George On Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:54:26 -0400 Herb Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: 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 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF
Bob What's the specific criteria regarding senior Ham discount I am 64 but my birthday is around the planned trip. Should I hold off making my contacts till after my Birthday ? or are they considering qualification is Colander month ? or year ? and as for LOTA... being on a fixed income I am hoping they just send me a card for each contact with some green stamps and I'll return a CARD ( hope they accept mutable contacts on one label) as soon as I get ink for my dot-matrix printer! Wayne , W3EA From: k...@pacbell.net Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 19:16:35 -0800 To: g...@ka1j.com CC: Topband@contesting.com Subject: 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 reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF
Sorry Gary Well documented in there announcement.. We only accept Western-Union money order SRI Wayne, W3EA From: g...@ka1j.com To: Topband@contesting.com Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 22:08:58 -0500 Subject: 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 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
...and that loss of the DX window is sadly, dear readers, why you will seldom hear DX stations outside of Europe and North America CQing on 160m in the CQ contests. Bit of a shame really, but that's (so-called) progress. I never understood, and never agreed with the 160 committee abolishing the DX window. I thought it showed people with larger stations on the east coast have lost touch with life with smaller stations in difficult areas. It is much like billionaires making rules for the middle class and working poor. Certainly large stations on the coast have little or no use for a DX only area, but I can't imagine what possessed someone to think that was a good idea for people distant from saltwater paths. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
It just goes to show that what looks good on paper in theory does not mean it HAS to be the same in the real world. There is nothing to prevent 2 signals a continent away and with different antennas from taking completely different paths when one is at either sunset or sunrise. There hasnt been a book written yet to explain it all. On a different note there was no way anyone would have believed that it was possible to work JA on 6M at the bottom of the cycle from New England yet several of us made the trip starting a few years ago. Experts are still arguing about that mechanism while on here one stands on a platform (not you Carl) and expects everything said to be believed without question. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Carl Clawson clawso...@gmail.com To: topband topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:22 PM Subject: 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 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1427 / Virus Database: 2634/5436 - Release Date: 12/04/12 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
W8JI said: I never understood, and never agreed with the 160 committee abolishing the DX window. I thought it showed people with larger stations on the east coast have lost touch with life with smaller stations in difficult areas. It is much like billionaires making rules for the middle class and working poor. Certainly large stations on the coast have little or no use for a DX only area, but I can't imagine what possessed someone to think that was a good idea for people distant from saltwater paths. Well, from a DX perspective I do not care much about band differenciation, we do have equal distance to Far East and the Pacific as to SA, NA east coast being close by and when 160 opens to NA west coast and KL7/KH6 they are good enough to break thru any other pile, this is a Hobby, 73 all. Len SM7BIC ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
On 2012-12-05, at 11:33 AM, Lennart M wrote: Well, from a DX perspective I do not care much about band differenciation, we do have equal distance to Far East and the Pacific as to SA, NA east coast being close by and when 160 opens to NA west coast and KL7/KH6 they are good enough to break thru any other pile, this is a Hobby Hi Len, Yes, for sure, but keep in mind that we're only talking about the setting aside of a mere FIVE KILOHERTZ of the band for this use! Now, a 5-KHz preserve may not mean much to a super NA CQ TEST machine, but it could mean all the difference in the world for making cross-continental QSOs for many---on BOTH sides of the signal path. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
So there is confused information about DX windows and digital windows and callig windows and useless windows. Once upon a time there was something called gentlemen's agreements and the DX window was part of that. Most of us don't really let the ARRL dictate to us what we will or won't do. So we can ignore their lack of a DX window if we choose. I cannot control what other hams do on the air and I have no desire to do so (better things to to do). So what is this DX window? 1825 to 1830 kc? If that's where the DX calls and transmits then where do W/VE stations transmit in reply? 1820 to 1825? That's where I seem to hear W/VE stations calling CQ DX. I have at best a regional station and I am just looking for some ragchew QSOs when I am on the air. I have been dressed down for being stupid and calling CQ 1810 to 1820 because *everybody knows* there is no DX there. Duh...that's the whole point. Is that somebody else's version of some other window or just an arid desert? I already know where to not transmit to avoid W1AW. Too close to the band edge for my drifty Ranger anyway. So fill me in on where I should avoid looking for casual QSOs and where I should look. I'm happy to share the band and observe DX windows. 73, Bill KU8H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
It is much like billionaires making rules for the middle class and working poor. It's also like those who don't pay income tax deciding how much those who pay income taxes should pay and how those taxes are spent or those who don't own property determining how much those who own property should be taxed for that property for the benefit of others. However, since this is not a political science reflector the comments are off topic. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/5/2012 11:21 AM, Tom W8JI wrote: ...and that loss of the DX window is sadly, dear readers, why you will seldom hear DX stations outside of Europe and North America CQing on 160m in the CQ contests. Bit of a shame really, but that's (so-called) progress. I never understood, and never agreed with the 160 committee abolishing the DX window. I thought it showed people with larger stations on the east coast have lost touch with life with smaller stations in difficult areas. It is much like billionaires making rules for the middle class and working poor. Certainly large stations on the coast have little or no use for a DX only area, but I can't imagine what possessed someone to think that was a good idea for people distant from saltwater paths. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
On Dec 5, 2012, at 8:42 AM, Bill Cromwell wrcromw...@gmail.com wrote: So what is this DX window? 1825 to 1830 kc? If that's where the DX calls and transmits then where do W/VE stations transmit in reply? The idea is that W/VE stations do not call CQ in the window, but can respond to a DX station who is calling there. Respond on the DX frequency unless, of course the DX is working split. That's where I seem to hear W/VE stations calling CQ DX. Yes, and that is part of the problem the DX window is trying to address. 73, Bob AA6VB ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
I had this happen many times as well but it is especially annoying near the end of the contest when seeking to find those last few contacts that I heard fellows calling CQ and only sending their call ONCE and then maybe waiting 2 sec. or less before sending CQ again. Many times I could copy their prefix but not get the suffix the first time. If you are running 1.5 KW and a ¼ Wave vertical with 60 in ground radials, we'll likely copy your suffix, maybe, but if you are running only 100 Watts and a less than ideal transmitting antenna, don't you agree that sending your call twice when CQing increases the possibility that someone can get your call correct and respond, especially the last night of the contest. 73 Markus VE7CA North Vancouver, BC web: ve7ca.net On 2012-12-05, at 6:36 AM, GeorgeWallner aa...@atlanticbb.net wrote: After spending 12 nights-in-a-row straining to hear and assemble thousands of weak calls, I would cautiously agree with Herb: if the DX clearly has the prefix, just send the missing letters. Maybe it is mental, maybe something else, but time and again I heard clearly (almost loud) the caller's prefix and number, just to experience the rest kind of fizzle into something weak and incoherent ... This happened so many times that I was ready for it, focusing only on the suffix, and still many times I could not copy it, while the prefix came through (almost) loud and clear. It must be that you can hear what you know or expect, while it is much harder to hear and decode something random. But that does not explain the whole thing. How does one get the prefix so many times correctly when the suffix just fizzles into nothing. I have checked with the other operators on PT0S and they had similar experiences. Perhaps there is some hearing mechanism at work, similar to vision; where acuity diminishes with usage... 73, George On Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:54:26 -0400 Herb Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: 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: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
George, IMO you have solved the problem ... mental. Your last sentence describes the condition exactly ... your brain goes blank or slows as a defence mechanism from all the noise/signals on the band. Doug -Original Message- After spending 12 nights-in-a-row straining to hear and assemble thousands of weak calls, I would cautiously agree with Herb: if the DX clearly has the prefix, just send the missing letters. Maybe it is mental, maybe something else, but time and again I heard clearly (almost loud) the caller's prefix and number, just to experience the rest kind of fizzle into something weak and incoherent ... This happened so many times that I was ready for it, focusing only on the suffix, and still many times I could not copy it, while the prefix came through (almost) loud and clear. It must be that you can hear what you know or expect, while it is much harder to hear and decode something random. But that does not explain the whole thing. How does one get the prefix so many times correctly when the suffix just fizzles into nothing. I have checked with the other operators on PT0S and they had similar experiences. Perhaps there is some hearing mechanism at work, similar to vision; where acuity diminishes with usage... 73, George On Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:54:26 -0400 Herb Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: 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 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
I had this happen many times as well but it is especially annoying near the end of the contest when seeking to find those last few contacts that I heard fellows calling CQ and only sending their call ONCE and then maybe waiting 2 sec. or less before sending CQ again. 160, with changing noise and slow deep fades, really does take different operating methods than higher bands. When things are slow, it makes much more sense to repeat the call more. Like test W8JI W8JI W8JI This is better than adding CQ's CQ test W8JI, or making a short call TEST W8JI and repeating it with little or no pause. Another thing I try to push, but operators do not like to do, is slowing down when things are slow. If you have to call for 10-30 seconds to get a response, or are only making one QSO a minute, it makes no sense at all to operate at 30 WPM. 160 isn't 40 or 20 meters, with an unlimited supply of stations and almost no noise variation or QSB. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
Last weekend was (finally) a return of over-the-pole conditions in my QTH, similar to what we experienced frequently in 2009 and 2010. I could hear western NA stations ALL day here, some with very good signals despite full daylight at my end. They did not fade out until sunrise over there 14.00 GMT. Everyone I heard was coming in via SP, true beam heading across the pole. I called many stations, repeatedly for long periods of time. Some signals were peaking 559/569 in the rather slow QSB. Not even a QRZ in return, except for VY2ZM, we worked at 1014 GMT. One way propagation? No, I don't think so. I think that the fact I was not heard was just the difference in noise levels at both ends. Probably adding to that, the NA stations heard were using receive antennas that were pointed anywhere BUT to the North pole. On moonbounce I experience one way propagation very often. But then I can mathematically explain why, it has to do with so called spatial offset and a 45 degree Faraday rotation. No mystery, just a sound explanation because of geometry. There are times during strong auroras when I can hear European stations on low bands pretty well in the evenings but they can't hear me. Again, at those times I am sure it is due to the noise level a the other end. If signals are depressed by aurora up here at 65.4 N then the crud on the band is also depressed. So I hear stations at S3-5 levels very well. But they are probably seeing the normal S7 evening time noise background, masking my signals completely. However, in contests, like the first night of CQ WW CW a couple of weeks ago, it was frustrating to operate on 160m in the aurora. Even when doing S/P it was difficult to work stations in northern Europe, although I heard them very well at S2-3 levels. So, I don't think that there is a magic situation where one-way-propagation exists on HF, it should be fully reciprocal. In my opinion it's rather a result of different noise situations at both ends. 73 de Peter SM2CEW At 22:08 2012-12-04 , Mike Waters wrote: 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 ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
So there is confused information about DX windows and digital windows and callig windows and useless windows. Once upon a time there was something called gentlemen's agreements and the DX window was part of that. Most of us don't really let the ARRL dictate to us what we will or won't do. So we can ignore their lack of a DX window if we choose. I cannot control what other hams do on the air and I have no desire to do so (better things to to do). I'm sorry to hear that. Hams do better when they work for a common good, even if it doesn't serve what they feel like doing. Without working together, we need the Government to make rules and impose penalties. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Non-reciprocity of path and checking polarization
Here's some things to think about when we think we know polarization or polarization tilt, or non-reciprocal propagation or paths: 1.) When receiving, antenna response to the desired signal compared to antenna response to noise determines copy, NOT the gain or absolute signal level. An antenna with the best signal level is not often the antenna with the best signal level, so we cannot use readability as a determinant. 2.) Most simple vertically polarized antennas have good low angle response, and are vertically polarized in all directions. The exception is a small loop antenna, which is only perfectly vertical along the horizon off the radial direction of the loop. At all other angles it is a mix of polarization. 3.) Most horizontal antennas are mixed polarization, and are only perfectly horizontal off the broadside. The exception is properly built and installed small horizontally-polarized loop. 4.) When we mix antennas or compare antennas to determine polarization, each reference antenna has to be normalized to the same response level at the angle and direction of the arriving signal. If response (sensitivity) is different and we have no idea how different, then we have no idea of polarization tilt or rotation. 5.) When we compare signals to make a claim or study if a path is non-reciprocal, we have to precisely know the difference in signal field strength levels on two paths. We can't tell anything for certain if we are listening only to S/N (readability) or the antennas are optimal for polarization and wave angle. I don't think there is much chance of resolving this into useful information, because Hams really don't even want to bother with simple field strength measurements of antenna changes. We live mostly by feelings, and don't generally want to be bothered with facts or science. :-) Unless we know what to measure and how to measure it, and actually measure or compare something, we are just guessing. 73 Tom ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: one-way propagation
On my 80 meter NTS net last evening (1830 local time) I noticed that the critical frequency had dropped below 3.5 MHz. I could barely hear some stations that were only 40 miles away and my neighbor Claire N7CM reported that she heard no one but me. (No problem working 5T0SP, however, which entirely made up for the hard time that I had running the net.) When this happened in the past -- the last time was in Dec 2009 -- condx on 160 were often very good over the pole from here to EU. I haven't heard EU yet this season, but here's hoping! 73, Carl WS7L Last weekend was (finally) a return of over-the-pole conditions in my QTH, similar to what we experienced frequently in 2009 and 2010. I could hear ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF
I received a '3Y0IOF' QSL card for each band and mode for the up coming DXpedition. The instructions say when I first hear them on any band/mode (optional) just fill in the time. Boy!! This sure beats having to suffer through several days of cops and tuner uppers. 73 Joe K2UF With enough THRUST pig fly just fine. -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Kline Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 10:31 AM To: k...@pacbell.net; g...@ka1j.com Cc: low bad reflector Subject: Re: Topband: 3Y0IOF Bob What's the specific criteria regarding senior Ham discount I am 64 but my birthday is around the planned trip. Should I hold off making my contacts till after my Birthday ? or are they considering qualification is Colander month ? or year ? and as for LOTA... being on a fixed income I am hoping they just send me a card for each contact with some green stamps and I'll return a CARD ( hope they accept mutable contacts on one label) as soon as I get ink for my dot-matrix printer! Wayne , W3EA From: k...@pacbell.net Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 19:16:35 -0800 To: g...@ka1j.com CC: Topband@contesting.com Subject: 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 reflector - topband@contesting.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2742 / Virus Database: 2617/5355 - Release Date: 10/26/12 Internal Virus Database is out of date. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Spam:****, Re: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
Doug, Then my digital recording (Adobe Audition) possesses a similar mental capacity? No! I edit out the prefix and create a loop after deleting the prefix from the recording. There is a noticeable disappearance into the noise after stations, and I have check over 50 so far, have sent there call signs. It is not a mental condition at all. I don't know what causes the phenomenon and once thought that power amplifiers lost efficiency after a few characters were sent, especially with stations without rally stiff power supplies on their PA's losing a bit of a kick they seem to get when first sending their call . it sometimes seems to me the longer they keep sending the weaker they get. Most amps today use voltage double supplies and the voltage regulation has a swing of 300 to 400 volts. however, I don't see how that can make up for 3db or more of signal drop. Also let me assure you that George AA7JV has some of the best trained and keenest ears in the business of weak signal low band reception. So I am looking for other reasons. The solution: when in doubt please send the missing information, first and repeat the whole call in conclusion when in doubt. Thanks, Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 12/5/2012 1:45 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: George, IMO you have solved the problem ... mental. Your last sentence describes the condition exactly ... your brain goes blank or slows as a defence mechanism from all the noise/signals on the band. Doug -Original Message- After spending 12 nights-in-a-row straining to hear and assemble thousands of weak calls, I would cautiously agree with Herb: if the DX clearly has the prefix, just send the missing letters. Maybe it is mental, maybe something else, but time and again I heard clearly (almost loud) the caller's prefix and number, just to experience the rest kind of fizzle into something weak and incoherent ... This happened so many times that I was ready for it, focusing only on the suffix, and still many times I could not copy it, while the prefix came through (almost) loud and clear. It must be that you can hear what you know or expect, while it is much harder to hear and decode something random. But that does not explain the whole thing. How does one get the prefix so many times correctly when the suffix just fizzles into nothing. I have checked with the other operators on PT0S and they had similar experiences. Perhaps there is some hearing mechanism at work, similar to vision; where acuity diminishes with usage... 73, George On Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:54:26 -0400 Herb Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: Doug, 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:
Re: Topband: DX window
___Original Message_ From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 Time: 12:54:35 Without working together, we need the Government to make rules and impose penalties. Tom I'm not sure that Government intervention is a very good idea (it certainly wouldn't be in this country!), but you hit the nail fair and square on the head when you talk about penalties. The contest rule makers should get real tough about stations who persistently work in the wrong part of the bands during contests. In CW contests we've all heard CW signals stomping all over the phone end of the band. In phone contests we've all heard phone stations all over the bottom part of the band. In RTTY contests ... well, we all know what happens there. Three verifiable complaints and you're out should be the rule. With SDR receivers available these days, that shouldn't be too difficult to police. -- 73 Ian, G3NRW ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest -- copying weak ones
Thanks Herb, That certainly removes the operator condition from the explanation. It will be interesting to discover why the transmissions tail off. Is it repeatable? For example if the same station keeps sending their call between your HB9? does it consistently tail off each time they transmit between your transmissions? Doug -Original Message- Then my digital recording (Adobe Audition) possesses a similar mental capacity? No! I edit out the prefix and create a loop after deleting the prefix from the recording. There is a noticeable disappearance into the noise after stations, and I have check over 50 so far, have sent there call signs. It is not a mental condition at all. I don't know what causes the phenomenon and once thought that power amplifiers lost efficiency after a few characters were sent, especially with stations without rally stiff power supplies on their PA's losing a bit of a kick they seem to get when first sending their call . it sometimes seems to me the longer they keep sending the weaker they get. Most amps today use voltage double supplies and the voltage regulation has a swing of 300 to 400 volts. however, I don't see how that can make up for 3db or more of signal drop. Also let me assure you that George AA7JV has some of the best trained and keenest ears in the business of weak signal low band reception. So I am looking for other reasons. The solution: when in doubt please send the missing information, first and repeat the whole call in conclusion when in doubt. Thanks, Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 12/5/2012 1:45 PM, Doug Renwick wrote: George, IMO you have solved the problem ... mental. Your last sentence describes the condition exactly ... your brain goes blank or slows as a defence mechanism from all the noise/signals on the band. Doug -Original Message- After spending 12 nights-in-a-row straining to hear and assemble thousands of weak calls, I would cautiously agree with Herb: if the DX clearly has the prefix, just send the missing letters. Maybe it is mental, maybe something else, but time and again I heard clearly (almost loud) the caller's prefix and number, just to experience the rest kind of fizzle into something weak and incoherent ... This happened so many times that I was ready for it, focusing only on the suffix, and still many times I could not copy it, while the prefix came through (almost) loud and clear. It must be that you can hear what you know or expect, while it is much harder to hear and decode something random. But that does not explain the whole thing. How does one get the prefix so many times correctly when the suffix just fizzles into nothing. I have checked with the other operators on PT0S and they had similar experiences. Perhaps there is some hearing mechanism at work, similar to vision; where acuity diminishes with usage... 73, George On Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:54:26 -0400 Herb Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: Doug, 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
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
On Wed, 2012-12-05 at 11:47 -0700, Milt -- N5IA wrote: All JA stations worked called me on my Run frequencies within the 'JA Window'. CU all in the SPDC. 73 de Milt, N5IA, op at N7GP The JA window? 73, Bill KU8H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
snip Three verifiable complaints and you're out should be the rule. With SDR receivers available these days, that shouldn't be too difficult to police. -- 73 Ian, G3NRW I'm not so sure I like the 3 strikes policy. My reasoning is lets say some AH wanted for instance, to discredit stiff competition and pirated their call using it while intentionally create interference in the DX window. It wouldn't take long for this to disqualify that operator unfairly. What I see as reasonable is to make operating in the DX window a penalty where when the test scores are sent in by cabrillo, those working the window would be identified. When the scores are sent in, the IP address is added to the x-header and simply going to http://aruljohn.com/track.pl and entering the IP will tell you where the senders location is. Make it known every QSO within that DX window from W/VE not working a DX station will have a punitive docking of points. If they have the guts to do this, there will quickly be a hole in the ether for DX to be heard. Gary KA1J ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: Copying weak signals
my digital recording (Adobe Audition) possesses a similar mental capacity? There is a noticeable disappearance into the noise after... Having spent over 45 years recording sound, I agree that the signal level decrease is real. And easy to see on good recording software. ...once thought that power amplifiers lost efficiency after a few characters With tongue in cheek, I say that I think that the ionosphere gets overloaded after a few characters. 160m ionosphere is somewhet delicate at best. I do, however, notice this effect in most HF contests, and it's always the weak sigs that suffer, of course, as a few db at the lower levels makes a BIG difference. Ralph, VE7XF ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
Dear TopBanders, My license says CW can be used from 1810 kHz up to the end of the band. However, no Phone modes are allowed below 1840 kHz. I am sure most European licenses are similar. IARU Region 1 bandplan says all modes between 1810 kHz and the upper end of the band - so let's talk ONLY about SSB in the CW portion and not the other way around. CW on 1875 kHz is legit. SSB on 1823 isn't. Monitoring an SSB contest needs human resources. Three verifiable complaints is not good enough, as it would lead to a very high number of complaints. IMHO the organizers of the contest should appoint monitoring stations. The same should be applied on 40 meters, where QSX listening on 7015 - 7035 in CQWW was quite common... But let me provoke you: How many serious SSB contest on 160 meters? Two? Three? Why can't the mazochists contesting on 160 SSB have the whole band for 6 days in a year? 73 Steve HA0DU On 05/12/2012 21:01, Ian Wade G3NRW wrote: ___Original Message_ From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 Time: 12:54:35 Without working together, we need the Government to make rules and impose penalties. Tom I'm not sure that Government intervention is a very good idea (it certainly wouldn't be in this country!), but you hit the nail fair and square on the head when you talk about penalties. The contest rule makers should get real tough about stations who persistently work in the wrong part of the bands during contests. In CW contests we've all heard CW signals stomping all over the phone end of the band. In phone contests we've all heard phone stations all over the bottom part of the band. In RTTY contests ... well, we all know what happens there. Three verifiable complaints and you're out should be the rule. With SDR receivers available these days, that shouldn't be too difficult to police. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
1810-1825 and 1907.7-1912.5 is allocated in Japan (CW only) 73 Peter, DJ7WW -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill Cromwell The JA window? ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Topband: buried radials vs radials on the ground
I had always understood that because of coupling, radials laid on the ground were functionally the same on top-band as those buried a few inches. Recently, some experimentation with Beverage on ground antennas has me doubting that. It's been suggested that elevated radials need to be resonated, like very low dipoles. Is that true with radials-on-ground, but with a much-different velocity factor? Trying to relate efforts to results for radials on a tower in thick woods, where only radial ON ground are possible, what would be my best return on effort deploying, say, 1000 feet of wire? 4 longer elevated radials (resonated?) or 10 shorter radials on ground (unresonated). -- 73, Pete N4ZR Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com. For spots, please go to your favorite ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Spam:****, Re: DX window
On 12/5/2012 4:29 PM, Steve HA0DU wrote: Why can't the mazochists contesting on 160 SSB have the whole band for 6 days in a year? *Well they can **and they do*! It doesn't seem to bother many. My problem is I have to re-peak my ATU at the tower for much over 1855 and there are are stations up to and beyond 1950Khz. I have a 2 RPM gearmotor but have not put in the jog switch yet. Herb KV4FZ ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
On Wed, 2012-12-05 at 21:39 +0100, Peter Voelpel wrote: 1810-1825 and 1907.7-1912.5 is allocated in Japan (CW only) 73 Peter, DJ7WW Thank you Peter, That's useful information here. I now know how to stay out of the way AND... I know where to look for them. 73, Bill KU8H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: Phone contests on 160?
On 12/5/2012 4:29 PM, Steve HA0DU wrote: Why can't the mazochists contesting on 160 SSB have the whole band for 6 days in a year? *Well they can **and they do*! It doesn't seem to bother many. My problem is I have to re-peak my ATU at the tower for much over 1855 and there are are stations up to and beyond 1950Khz. I have a 2 RPM gearmotor but have not put in the jog switch yet. I know of CQ 160 phone for 2 days a year... what other phone contests come into 160? ARRL DX phone, CQ WPX phone, CQ WW phone? Doesn't that bring us to 8 days? In my days as a novice I learned how to take strong SW broadcasters in the 40M novice band and just tune them out mentally. As a result I rarely recognize phone activity as anything except a noise source to be ignored! Tim. ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
Bill, As Peter has responded, there are two JA windows; 1810-1825 and 1907.7-1912.5 . Until a few years ago the JA hams only had the upper 1907.7-1912.5 allocation. Because the band was segmented in much of the world most international contacts on 160 Meters were done split frequency. From here in the USA the common method was for US stations to transmit in the 1.820-1.830 area where their narrow band TX antennas were resonant and listen for the JA stations in the above 1.9 MHZ JA allocation. The JA stations would do the opposite, TXing above 1.9 and listening down low. The method of contacting each other was not random. When you CQed, you added at the end the couple of digits that indicated where you were listening in the other fellows band. For example, I would CQ CQ de N5IA N5IA r83. What this meant to the JA stations that I was listening on 1.908.3. We did this both for casual DXing and in the contests. Since the new, wider allocation to JA at the 1.810 to 1.825, to my knowledge all contest contacts are done simplex in that portion of the spectrum. If you want to work JA on 160 Meters you have to be within that window also. I don't know for a fact, but I suppose the above 1.9 MHZ allocation is probably used by JA for local, in country contacts. Anyone out there know how that portion of the spectrum is now used in JA? I hope this helps you and perhaps others, Bill. 73 and good evening de Milt, N5IA -Original Message- From: Bill Cromwell Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 1:21 PM To: Milt -- N5IA Cc: Bill and Liz ; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: DX WINDOW On Wed, 2012-12-05 at 11:47 -0700, Milt -- N5IA wrote: All JA stations worked called me on my Run frequencies within the 'JA Window'. CU all in the SPDC. 73 de Milt, N5IA, op at N7GP The JA window? 73, Bill KU8H ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX WINDOW
Hi Milt, It sure helps me. I don't make any bones about new to 160. My antenna and my transmitter have been giving me a lot of grief so I have had only a few QSOs...maybe a couple dozen. I am not a seasoned professional on top band. I'm just an amateur. My license even says so (evil grin). So far when I have tried to get on the air, reasonable amateur practice has kept me out of serious trouble. Lots of listening and a query before using a vacant frequency. I know what a pileup sounds like so even if I can't hear the DX I know (s)he is around. It's helpful when in Rome to know what the Romans do. 73, Bill KU8H On Wed, 2012-12-05 at 15:55 -0700, Milt -- N5IA wrote: Bill, As Peter has responded, there are two JA windows; 1810-1825 and 1907.7-1912.5 . Until a few years ago the JA hams only had the upper 1907.7-1912.5 allocation. Because the band was segmented in much of the world most international contacts on 160 Meters were done split frequency. From here in the USA the common method was for US stations to transmit in the 1.820-1.830 area where their narrow band TX antennas were resonant and listen for the JA stations in the above 1.9 MHZ JA allocation. The JA stations would do the opposite, TXing above 1.9 and listening down low. The method of contacting each other was not random. When you CQed, you added at the end the couple of digits that indicated where you were listening in the other fellows band. For example, I would CQ CQ de N5IA N5IA r83. What this meant to the JA stations that I was listening on 1.908.3. We did this both for casual DXing and in the contests. Since the new, wider allocation to JA at the 1.810 to 1.825, to my knowledge all contest contacts are done simplex in that portion of the spectrum. If you want to work JA on 160 Meters you have to be within that window also. I don't know for a fact, but I suppose the above 1.9 MHZ allocation is probably used by JA for local, in country contacts. Anyone out there know how that portion of the spectrum is now used in JA? I hope this helps you and perhaps others, Bill. 73 and good evening de Milt, N5IA ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
Being unencumbered by knowledge of contest log reporting and checking perhaps I am missing something. Since virtually all contest stations use automated logging programs and these programs could get the actual transmit frequency directly from the transceiver as the contact is logged, then why couldn't a log check computer program simply check for non DX contacts within a DX window? I guess that would mean requiring an exact frequency rather than a generic frequency to be submitted in the Cabrillo format, but certainly that doesn't seem to hard to code into the logging program. I suppose this could even be crosschecked in the other station's log to rule out computer errors. Apply penalties for a certain number of violations to allow for true mistakes, but once above a certain limit, disqualification. I will crawl back under my rock now. 73, Darrell VA7TO Darrell Bellerive On 12-12-05 12:25 PM, Gary Smith wrote: What I see as reasonable is to make operating in the DX window a penalty where when the test scores are sent in by cabrillo, those working the window would be identified. When the scores are sent in, the IP address is added to the x-header and simply going to http://aruljohn.com/track.pl and entering the IP will tell you where the senders location is. Make it known every QSO within that DX window from W/VE not working a DX station will have a punitive docking of points. If they have the guts to do this, there will quickly be a hole in the ether for DX to be heard. Gary KA1J ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
Re: Topband: DX window
It does. Here's me with cabrillo format working herb he was in the DX window. QSO: 1830 CW 2012-12-01 0323 KA1J 599 VP2V/AA7V 599 VP2-V QSO: 1833 CW 2012-12-01 0339 KA1J 599 KV4FZ 599 VI QSO: 1833 CW 2012-12-01 0342 KA1J 599 OL7M 599 OL Freq 1.833 for Herb KV4FZ Sorry for QRMing you when I got the OL... hehe Gary KA1J Being unencumbered by knowledge of contest log reporting and checking perhaps I am missing something. Since virtually all contest stations use automated logging programs and these programs could get the actual transmit frequency directly from the transceiver as the contact is logged, then why couldn't a log check computer program simply check for non DX contacts within a DX window? I guess that would mean requiring an exact frequency rather than a generic frequency to be submitted in the Cabrillo format, but certainly that doesn't seem to hard to code into the logging program. I suppose this could even be crosschecked in the other station's log to rule out computer errors. Apply penalties for a certain number of violations to allow for true mistakes, but once above a certain limit, disqualification. I will crawl back under my rock now. 73, Darrell VA7TO Darrell Bellerive On 12-12-05 12:25 PM, Gary Smith wrote: What I see as reasonable is to make operating in the DX window a penalty where when the test scores are sent in by cabrillo, those working the window would be identified. When the scores are sent in, the IP address is added to the x-header and simply going to http://aruljohn.com/track.pl and entering the IP will tell you where the senders location is. Make it known every QSO within that DX window from W/VE not working a DX station will have a punitive docking of points. If they have the guts to do this, there will quickly be a hole in the ether for DX to be heard. Gary KA1J ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com ___ Topband reflector - topband@contesting.com
